Karen Lyn Chance

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Karen Chance on Wednesday, September 23rd at the age of 58. Karen was diagnosed with an autoimmune liver condition, and despite not having many symptoms, it had been progressing over the past two years. She was admitted to the hospital on September 11th, and unexpectedly her condition quickly deteriorated over the course of a few days. She passed away peacefully in the Intensive Care Unit with her husband and two daughters by her side. Her family is very grateful for the compassion and support they received from the medical team at the Foothills Hospital during this difficult time.

Born in June of 1962 to James and Jean Chance, Karen spent her childhood and teenage years in Sept-Iles QC and Surrey BC, and her adult years in Calgary AB where she raised her family.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 36 years, Bill; and her treasured daughters Kristjana (Adam) and Erika (Kyle) who were the pride and joy of her life. Also left to mourn Karen are her siblings Brenda, Judy, and Rob; Bill’s mother Beryl; and Bill’s siblings Ross, Craig, Lori, and Jim, along with their families. Karen was predeceased by her parents James and Jean, father-in-law Ron, and her sister-in-law Junko.

Karen and Bill first met in 1981, when they were each on a 7-week Contiki tour of Europe. Knowing Karen was way out of his league, Bill made his first move on Karen while visiting the Eiffel Tower. The romance of the moment obviously worked as they remained inseparable ever since. This love connection in Paris also sparked a life-long love of travel with family and friends. Over the years Karen and family had many memorable trips to Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Iceland, Dominican Republic, and Bahamas. Her most recent trips included rekindling her love in Paris and Malta, a family trip to New York, and annual trips to Las Vegas.

It was important for Karen to maintain the friendships she made throughout her life, including childhood friends from Surrey, worldwide friends from the Contiki tour, work friends, and many others she regularly connected with through book clubs or dinner parties. Despite already having a close family, there was never a shortage of love towards friends, who were considered by Karen to be her second family.

Karen was the ultimate hostess, and will be remembered for her creativity and attention to detail when planning any dinner or party. But most of all, she will be remembered for making everyone who entered her realm feel so welcomed and important.

Karen was also a voracious reader with an amazing memory, which enabled her to have in-depth conversations on nearly any topic or author. Her love of books essentially turned her home into a library. Thank goodness for her Kindle E-reader, which allowed her to buy and store hundreds of books, without Bill needing to build a new wing of the house.

Karen was a true champion of education, and believed that education is a “jewel in your pocket.” She obtained a Bachelor of Arts (English and Communication Studies) from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Education and Masters of Education (Adult and Community Education) from the University of Calgary, which led her to a fulfilling 35 year career as an educator and academic advisor. Most of her working years saw her at the Calgary Board of Education (Chinook Learning) and at the University of Calgary’s Faculties of Education and Nursing. She also viewed supporting her own daughters’ education and career development to be some of her greatest achievements.

Everything she accomplished in her career and in her life was done with passion and conviction, yet also with kindness and empathy. Her storytelling, with just the right amount of embellishment, sassy sense of humour, and legendary baking will be missed dearly. Above all, however, it was her absolute love and devotion to her family and friends that is irreplaceable.

Karen’s family would greatly appreciate stories, memories, or photos that family and friends wish to share. This can also include “Karen-isms,” or phrases she was known to say. Some of the family’s personal favorites include:

• “It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice”

• “EPIC”

• “I’m going to take them down in a dark alley”

• “It’s time to put on your big girl underwear”

A Private Celebration of Karen’s life will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery). For information regarding remote viewing of the service, please contact Foster’s Garden Chapel.

Memorial donations in Karen’s name will be gratefully accepted by the Canadian Liver Foundation at https://www.liver.ca/patients-caregivers/liver-diseases/liver-cancer/

or Kids Cancer Care at https://www.kidscancercare.ab.ca/

We continue to be astounded by the depth of the connections Karen made with everyone she met, whether she knew them only for a few minutes or a lifetime. We hope that your memories of Karen will also give you comfort when you think of her.

Bill, Kristjana & Erika