Karen Irene (Turner) Maxwell

It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Karen Irene Maxwell following an illness, with her family by her side. Left to mourn her passing are her children Marnie Masiowska Johnston, Lucinda Johnston, Deidra Kaludjer, Chandra Johnston, and Heather Demchenko (Boris); grandchildren Reilynn Johnston, Samantha Kaludjer, Christopher Kaludjer, Ethan Johnston, Madison Michel, and Nadia Demchenko; sister Lynne Moss (Ron); niece and nephews Glen Moss (Diane), Kara Moss, Ryan Moss, Cole Caron-Etheridge (Ali), Harper Moss; cousin Lorene Fox (Ken); Larry Johnston (Cindy), John Turner, and numerous extended family and friends. Karen was predeceased by her parents John and Irene (Viv) Maxwell, Aunt Agnes Adams (Jack), Uncle David Maxwell (Kay), Uncle Jack Kemp (Irene) and cousin Doug Kemp.

Karen was born in Winnipeg, but grew up in Dauphin where she attended Dauphin Collegiate and Technical Institute. Growing up, Karen and sister Lynne ice skated on their backyard rink, built forts at home and at “the lake”, and climbed a lot of rocks and trees.

The lake at McIntosh, Ontario, was a special place for Karen, and her family. Two lakeside lots, purchased by Karen’s grandparents, have now hosted five generations. Karen grew up at the cottage, raised her children there, and took every opportunity to spend time there. Picnics at the lake were a major event, with at least one picnic at “the falls” every summer. “The falls” were reached by a 20-minute boat trip up the lake, followed by a 20-minute hike, and everyone loaded down with food, cushions, bug spray and other accoutrements.

As a child Karen excelled at gymnastics, and loved music - auditioning and performing in Eaton’s “Good Deed Club” - and drama. She acted in many productions in grade school, junior high and high school, even though the parts were allocated by fathers’ profession—the doctors' kids got the “best” parts, followed by the dentists, storekeepers, railroad workers, and then farmers' kids. When she was in Kindergarten, Karen memorised every line in the show!

Mom loved board games and cards. She had a passion for Bridge and was adept in its many varieties, including contract and duplicate. From the time she was 13, Karen was a member of social and competitive Bridge circles. She was also an avid reader, and couldn’t resist an Agatha Christie whodunit, or tv murder mysteries - especially the British ones!

When she was 16, Karen met Larry in Dauphin. They were married from 1967 to 1988, and had four children. Karen and Larry both enjoyed socialising, hosting many parties. Larry played guitar, and both would sing their favourite songs, like Country Roads, Bobby McGee, Proud Mary, and Try a Little Kindness.

Mom was a natural born saleswoman. At 18 years old, living in Thompson, and with a baby at home, Karen carried “Compact” vacuums from house to house, demonstrating their superior quality and suction. After moving to Winnipeg in 1972, she became a five-star Tupperware representative. She also sold Amway, jewellery, insurance, and heating systems!

When her children were young, Karen was a leader for Winnipeg, Gillam and Sioux Lookout Brownies and Girl Guides troops, moving up the ranks as Snowy Owl, Tawny Owl, Brown Owl, and finally district commissioner.

Karen began her 20-year career at CIBC in Sioux Lookout, Ontario. Here she found she had a penchant for numbers. This and limited options for advancing at the bank, motivated Karen to become a bookkeeper and finally an accountant. Studying part-time for six years while working full-time, Karen graduated with her CGA, shortly before her 50th birthday. With her CGA, Karen combined her entrepreneurial and business skills with her passion for people, to run a successful accounting business for 25 years.

Karen met her second husband, John Turner, at the Adventures for Successful Singles Social Club in Winnipeg, where she and John made lasting friendships. After they decided to part ways, mom was active in Adventures again, running the bridge club, and collecting tickets at the monthly dances. She also regularly attended the Forever Young dances (hosted by her childhood friend Carol Green and husband Barry), where she enjoyed swing dancing with David.

Karen was a people person through and through, and opened her heart and home to all, including many stray and rescue animals: Tippy, Rusty, Sasha, Snowball, Ginger, Patches, Orrie, Shadow, Misty, Baby, LIttle One, Bailey, Mr. Tom Cat (and that is just the dogs and cats!).

With a spontaneous sense of humour and an infectious laugh, mom was the quintessential “social butterfly”, and thrived on family and social events. She loved planning and cooking for gatherings of friends and family, where she would serve her staple dishes: lasagna, sweet and sour meatballs, “Mom’s killer potato salad”, and caesar salad - with mushrooms! She enjoyed decorating theme cakes, and birthdays were often celebrated with an upside-down angel food cake with 7-minute icing. For Christmas, Karen prepared food and “dainties” weeks in advance: perogies and holopchi (taught to her by mother-in-law Pauline Johnston), as well as shortbread, haystacks, chocolate covered cherries, grasshopper pie and nanaimo bars.

Karen was an ardent learner and open to new experiences. Following in her father’s footsteps, she learned to scuba dive as an adult, exploring Falcon Lake and lakes near the cottage. She also enjoyed travelling, visiting England, Ireland, France, Greece, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and last year taking a “girls” trip to Cuba with Kathy, Wanda, and Lolita.

A highlight of Karen’s trip to Ireland with John was their visit to Bleary, the town where her grandfather lived and farmed. Upon arriving, she stopped a local, asking if they might know where the Maxwell farm had been? The local heartily greeted mom like a long lost friend and gave her directions to a farmhouse just down the road. The owner of the farm, upon hearing who Karen was, welcomed her and John into her home, gave them breakfast and showed them many family heirlooms in her possession, including the Maxwell family bible!

Mom was a valuable member of Grey Street United Church for over 30 years. She volunteered countless hours supporting various committees, providing bookkeeping services, and most memorably, singing in the choir and performing in about 20 annual beef dinner celebrations.

A drop in visitation and informal gathering for Karen was held Monday, June 3, 2024 at Grey Street United Church. A special thanks to the Grey Street Church and Choir for their help in planning this event. A Celebration of Karen's life is taking place on September 28, 2024 at Thompson in the Park Funeral Home on McGillivray, at 2 p.m.

Karen's family gratefully thanks Dr. Borrett and all of the Seven Oaks Hospital staff who cared for her during her illness. Donations may be made in Karen's memory to Never Alone Cancer Foundation.