Karen Margaret Stroyan

Beloved wife of the late John Stroyan for 42 years. Loving mother of Michael (Michelle). Cherished daughter of the late Reginald and the late Helen Bizley. Daughter-in-law of Anneke and the late Peter Stroyan. Dear sister-in-law of Craig Stroyan (Lisa), Janet Mousseau-Lawlor (Ken) and the late Tim Mousseau. Proud Aunt of Phil Mousseau (Rebecca), Jessica Knox (Graham), Mitchell Stroyan and Emma Stroyan. She will be remembered by Christopher Lawson.

Karen was feisty, loving, generous and funny. Her favourite word was F**K, especially if she caught you off guard. Karen could read a room like no other and would be the first to speak up. She loved people watching and asking new people she met very personal questions! She did not live in the shadow of John but beside him, an equal, a partner supporting his successful career at GM and raising their son. She was a Vikings football fan in competition with John’s beloved Detroit Lions. Go Lions! We hope they both get to see the Lions in the Super Bowl this year! Karen will talk through the whole game driving him crazy.

Karen had a debilitating stroke 10 years ago. John was able to retrofit their home with the help of Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO) and was able to provide Karen with 10 quality years in their family home. The staff from ALSO felt like extended family to them. A special thank you to Sarah, Tracy, Ashley, Amber, Robin (Red), Femi and so many more RPNs & PSWs that came through their home and cared for them with kindness and respect. We have so much gratitude for the work you do.

Karen would like to thank her Real Estate Agent Paul Germanese, Royal Lepage, for seeing her, treating her with dignity, respect, and kindness while helping her through the process of selling her home, with no stress and easing her transition. Paul saw the help that Karen needed, and he went above and beyond connecting us with ONESource Moving Solutions. Thank you to ONESource (Jennifer, Renee, Kali, Rob and Myles) for helping her pack up her home and setting her up in her new place in the Soo. They made those moments fun, easy and light for her during an emotional time. They are a great resource for seniors and people living with disabilities. We could not have done it without them.

John passed away in June and Karen wanted to move home to the Soo to be closer to him and her parents. Karen missed John tremendously. Karen moved into the FJ Davey Home and immediately she felt at home. She felt calm, safe, and comfortable. Her health turned quickly, and she wanted nothing more but to see her hubby John and her parents again. She was not afraid of death but embraced it. She was strong and courageous and brave in her last few days. We were in awe of her. In one of our last conversations we had, she said, “will you cry for me?" Not only did we cry we said yes, we will grieve you, miss you but we also celebrate you and honour your wishes. There was relief too with the hope and vision of her running into the arms of her beloved John, no longer shackled by her broken body and heart. Run Karen! Even in writing that last part it made us smile and giggle because she hated any type or form of exercise but we know she could not get to him fast enough.

A special thank you to all the staff (Dr. Fritz, Deborah, Christina, Tracy, Mindy… too many to name) at the FJ Davey Home for helping Karen (and us!). She was at peace because your staff made her feel heard, comfortable and safe. You do not get paid enough for the work you do, it takes a special person to do the work you do and we appreciate you. We are so grateful for all the good people that surrounded Karen these last few months and helped us. Her best friends, Jackie and Brad Dear, Denise and Dennis Bumbacco and her cousins Todd and Nancy Zimmerman. We are beyond grateful. Thank you for loving John and Karen and being there for them and us. Karen also wanted to thank her nephew, Mitchell (RN), who supported her, held her hand and with compassion helped her understand what was happening and stayed with her until she was ready to join John.

John and Karen taught us that we need to live in the moment, do that bucket list, tell the people you love that you love them (they need to hear it), be thankful and that growing old is a gift, to enjoy it. Although their untimely passing is painful for us it has reminded us how to live life fully and joyfully.

And on a last note, thank you Ken Currie at Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel for the excellent service, compassion and care you and your staff provided but no offence we don’t want to see you at work anytime soon!

Family and friends are invited to a graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 11:00 am. Rev. Helen Smith officiating. If you wish to make a donation in her memory (online or by cheque), it can be directed towards your local Heart and Stroke Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel 492 Wellington Street E. 705-759-2522). ond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.arthurfuneralhome for the Stroyan family.