Karen Casbarian

Karen Patricia Klein Casbarian, age 78, entered into eternal rest on December 22, 2023, surrounded by her husband and children following a brief illness. She was born and raised in Metairie, La., where she attended Sacred Heart School. Upon graduation, she was employed by Shell Oil Company, where she met her future husband, A.O. Peter Casbarian. After a short engagement they were married November 9, 1968. The couple moved to California and returned to Metairie in 1972, where they lived continuously until her untimely passing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Patricia and John Klein, sister, Sandie Klein Gainey and brother-in-law, Archie Casbarian. She leaves behind her loving husband and adoring sons, Jason Ian Casbarian (Marie) and Christopher Archie Casbarian (Amy), and their families, including her grandchildren, Lauren Marie Casbarian, Jacob Ian Casbarian, Frances “Francie” Elizabeth Casbarian, William Norman Anseman, and John Harris Anseman. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, John Joseph Casbarian (Natalye) and sister-in-law, Jane Casbarian, her nephews and nieces, Archie Andrew Casbarian (Adrienne), Kathryn “Katy” Casbarian Rodrigue (Melvin), Claudia Alexandra Caldwell Casbarian (Victor Benevides), Julia Helen Steele Casbarian, Troy Jude Gainey (Nicole), Heidi Suzette Gainey, and her many great-nephews and nieces including Archie Alexander Casbarian, Charles “Charlie” Cole Casbarian, and Peter Grognet Casbarian.

Karen welcomed everyone with open arms, never took herself too seriously and loved her family and friends fiercely. Her great joy in life was being surrounded by children. She was known affectionately as the “Kool-Aid mom” to the many children in the neighborhood. In recent years she delighted in spending time with her grandchildren, cheering on the Saints with them and teaching them to play cards and gamble. Despite the challenges she faced while hospitalized, she made people laugh and smile to the end. The family would like to thank the staff of Advent Hospital who took loving care of Karen in her last days.

Friends and family are invited to attend the funeral service in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 12:00PM. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 10:00AM. The interment will follow the chapel service in Metairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Karen’s memory to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

All that knew Karen are invited to share thoughts and fond memories online at www.lakelawnmetaire.com.