Karen Crowell
Born In: Sydney
Born: October 16th, 1942
Passed in: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Passed on: July 10th, 2014
The family of Karen Elizabeth Crowell (nee Kyte), beloved wife of Gordie Crowell of Calgary and mother of Greg and Kirby, are deeply saddened to announce the passing of this kind, gracious and talented woman at the age of 71 years.
Karen was born to Rose and Isaac Kyte on October 16, 1942 in Sydney, Nova Scotia and graduated from Sydney Academy high school, later attending Teacher’s College in Truro, Nova Scotia.
It was there that she met her future husband, Gordie. Karen returned to Sydney where she taught elementary school, but Gordie was not to be deterred and they were married in Sydney several years later. They subsequently lived in Wolfville, Nova Scotia while Gordie completed his Masters degree at Acadia University.
In 1966 Karen and Gordie relocated to Calgary where Gordie began his career as a geologist, and their first son, Greg was born that year. Their second son, Kirby, followed in 1969. Following a brief return to Sydney River, Nova Scotia, the family returned permanently to Calgary and Karen and Gordie settled into a long and successful career in the oil and gas industry. In the early 1990s, with her family raised and both sons graduated from university, Karen rose to the challenge and decided to continue her education, enrolling in the University of Calgary, where she later graduated with her Bachelor of Education degree in 1994.
For those who knew and loved Karen, she was a remarkable woman. She was a gifted artist, gracious hostess, skilled bridge player, voracious “puzzle person” with a passion for crosswords and for Sudoku, accomplished business professional, fashionable, and a determined golfer. She appeared to effortlessly manage their homes in Calgary and Windermere, BC, and later their summer home in Pugwash, Nova Scotia.
But her family always came first and she lavished each and every one of them with endless love, care and generosity. And everyone who knew Karen understood that her grandchildren were the centre of her universe.
Karen leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Gordie; sons Greg, and Kirby (Sharon); granddaughters Madeline, Amara and Jenna; and grandson, Ryan. She is also survived by her siblings, Pat (George) Martell of Calgary; Peggy (Keith) Davis, Calgary; Richard (Janice) Kyte, Calgary; Mae (Peter) Madore, Woodstock, Ontario; Tommy (Yvette) Kyte, Bathurst, New Brunswick; and Marie Kyte, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. Karen is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She will also leave a great void in the lives of her many friends, whom she cherished.
She was predeceased by her parents, and by her brother, Louis Kyte, Sydney, N.S.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff of the Foothills Hospital Neurological Unit in Calgary, and to Dr. Phillippe Couillard, for their exceptional care and compassion during Karen’s illness. A celebration of Karen’s life will be held at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, 24223 Township Road 242, (17th Avenue SW & Lower Springbank Rd) in Calgary on Thursday, July 17, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to a charity of their choice. To express condolences, please visit: www.mountainviewmemorial.ca.
Arrangements entrusted to Mountain View Memorial Gardens, Funeral Home, Reception Centre & Crematorium, 1605 - 100 Street SE (GPS: 242013 - 100 Street SE), Calgary, AB (403) 272-5555.
