Karen Elizabeth Papp

Karen Elizabeth Papp, born on Saturday January 28, 1950 in Detroit, Michigan to Zolton “Steve” Papp and Bernice Davis. She was the middle child of three. Karen had an adventurous childhood living in many states including Michigan, Florida and California, but Alaska was always the adventure she remembered the fondest. It is fitting given the “can do” and “survival” attitudes that the Alaskans possess as that was Karen’s spirit.

Karen eventually ended up in California with her parents and graduated from Corona High School. She went on to be a dental hygienist briefly until meeting John Ferguson, whom she married and had two daughters, Kerry and Shannon.

Her children were the most important thing in her life and she did everything imaginable to take care of them.

She was a pioneer in woman’s rights. After separating from John, she didn’t hesitate, despite being a female, to enter into her first adventure in the Army as a Military Police. Her military role would lead her into criminal justice where she would move on to be the first female police dispatcher and officer in Paris, Tennessee, eventually moving back to San Jacinto, California to work in law enforcement there for many years until her retirement. This job challenged her on many levels, but helped shape her future to move to Alhambra to help manage my Uncle Nardo and Cousin Bernie’s apartments.. She was so grateful for this opportunity as it allowed her to be involved in her Grandchildren’s lives and be close to her other family. Her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren where the most important thing to Karen, wanting them to succeed in their lives more than anything else. She lived to spend time taking them to the house she purchased with their future in mind on the Tennessee River. She always wanted them to have a soft place to land by giving them a family home for them to go and gather. Many wonderful memories where formed there. It is where she always wanted to go and who could blame her with the River outside her window to gaze at and eagles flying overhead.

Karen was a fighter, a survivor, a go getter, and most of all loved sharing her time with her friends and family. She was the matriarch of our family, bringing everyone together and will be deeply missed. She lost her short, but difficult, battle to metastatic cancer on 12/21/2022. We are all in shock over the loss and will never be the same. She was a true friend, mom, and grandmother. She is survived by her daughters, Kerry Oandasan and Shannon Ferguson as well as Grandchildren Domineke, Donnovan, Reina, Karim, Nate, Alicia, William and Emma as well as her beloved Great Grandchildren, Domineke and Andrew. We must also not forget her forever friends that were also her family Bernard and Margarita Spalione, Kate Halpin, and Jeanette and Jason Guzman. Mom will always be alive in our hearts and the many memories we have shared. She made an impact on this world with her spirit. We will always love and miss you mom.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.PBturnerstevens.com for the Papp family.