Karen was born on October 7, 1964 in Whittier, CA to Edward and Maryellen Garbarino. Karen and her family moved to upstate NY where Karen was raised. She graduated from Broome Community College in 1984, and married Mark Gould on June 18, 1988. Karen was caring, generous, joyful, kind, and full of life. She had a smile and a laugh that would brighten up any room. She had a love for donuts and other sweets, and for a few years had her own baking business called Mixing Miracles. Her favorite “work” however was helping "The Cookie People" where she could talk to customers and be around yummy treats all the time. Karen was a great mom to two children that she deeply loved - Zach (now 31) and Lindsay (now 29). Her greatest decision in life was when she received Christ as her Lord and Savior at a 1994 Franklin Graham crusade in Raleigh, which changed her life. She was a member of the Summit Church where she mentored numerous women, served engaged couples by helping them to prepare for marriage, and she led several women’s bible studies. The last 9 years of her life she wrestled with cancer 3 times, but God was faithful and used her during this difficult time to share her faith, and to inspire and impact so many.
Karen is preceded in death by Edward Garbarino and Maryellen English, and is lovingly remembered by her brother, Mark Garbarino; dear cousin, Linda Garbarino; husband, Mark; her son, Zach and her daughter, Lindsay.
A celebration of life memorial service for Karen will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Summit Church - Apex, 3000 Lufkin Rd, Apex, NC 27502.
In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be donated to The Summit Church (summitchurch.com/give, 2335 Presidential Drive, Suite 114, Durham, NC 27703) or Head for the Cure Foundation (headforthecure.org, 1607 Oak St., Kansas City, Missouri 64108).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.apexfuneral.net for the Gould family.
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