Karen Joyce Walker
On Saturday, June 6th, 2020 in her 58th year, after a brave and hard-fought battle against ovarian cancer, Karen passed away – slipping into the early morning light towards dawn, her favourite time of the day. When that happened, heaven gained an angel and we gained a guardian angel.
All who loved her dearly will never forget her love of dogs, England, great books and travel, as well as her kindness, warmth, compassion, genuineness, openness, ethics, fierce loyalty, intellect, passion, strength and tenacity. She was an incredibly fun-loving companion who was gentle and tender, sharp as a tack and surprisingly tough as nails right until the very end.
She leaves behind a devastated group of sister friends (Shirley Simo, Colleen Levenick, Constance Rennett, Linda Phillips, Sandra Butler, Kimberly Kent-Rodgman, Colleen Ryan and Carol Day), sisters Linda Secord, Susan Walker-Davies (Brian), brother Jim Walker, sister-in-laws Heather Secord and Judy Hamilton, and her many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
Karen was predeceased by her father Richard Walker, step-mother Audrey Hamilton, mother Mary Orriss, as well as her brother Gary Hamilton, her cherished brother Ed Secord, and most recently, her brothers Joe and Bob Secord.
Karen was born and raised in London Ontario, where she received her MA in Sociology from Western Ontario. Drawn to the “big city” like a magnet, Karen moved to Toronto to follow her dream of living in the city and being a career woman just like Marlo Thomas and Mary Tyler Moore. Over the course of her career, she was known for conducting outstanding qualitative and quantitative healthcare market research with an eye for detail and a passion for uncovering the truth at the following research firms: Schema Research Ltd., Canada Market Research (Ifop) and Angus Reid Group (Ipsos-Reid Group). She finished up her career joining her best friend Shirley at Summit Strategy Group. She so loved what she did that she worked until mid-March of this year and it was painful for her to accept the fact that she had to “retire” once she entered palliative care.
All of those who knew and loved Karen would like to extend our many thanks to the fine physicians and staff at Princess Margaret Hospital’s Gynecology Clinic for their role in facilitating the extra time she had after diagnosis to enjoy her friends, family, England, and another season of golf (her golf ladies will miss her swing, tenacity, good humour and good company on and off the course). Special thanks to Dr. Mike and nursing team at the transitional palliative care unit at Princess Margaret for your gentle and patient care of Karen during such a difficult time, as well as your accommodation of visits during the COVID-19 lockdown. Special thanks also to Kensington Hospice for your loving care of Karen during the final and most difficult phase of her journey.
A celebration of life will be held in the future, when COVID-19 restrictions allow for a suitable gathering size. In lieu of flowers, please donate generously in her memory to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Kensington Health Foundation (Kensington Hospice), or Kingston 4 Paws Service Dogs.
~ Bound by the Heart ~
Pete Ecclestone
I am greatly saddened by Karen’s passing. She was a wonderful person and I feel privileged to have had her as part of my life. We have been friends for a long time. Although we started out with a simple relationship through business, it evolved into a true friendship . I will miss her. I know she touched the hearts of many that came to know her and we are all blessed for that. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and dearest of friends.
Donna Micallef
Through Karen’s dear friend Constance we met. I didn’t know Karen a long time but instantly felt her kind, warm and loving personality.
Karen and Constance spent a great weekend at my home in Niagara on the Lake last summer… Karen loved my poodle pup, Cooper, she had so much fun with him, she instantly became Aunty Karen.
My deepest condolences, a very sad loss. Rest In Peace dear Karen.. your impression on all those who shared in your life will never be forgotten. ??
Donna and Cooper ♥️
Colleen Ryan
One of the most beautiful women I have ever met. I miss her like crazy and feel so blessed to have been able to share in her life. My heartfelt condolences go out to Karen’s family and friends. I know she loved you all dearly
Constance Rennett
My dearest sister friend, Karen,
Thank you for your unconditional love and friendship. You were the kindest person I have ever known. Pure love.
It has been a blessing, honour and privilege to have been your friend, for all these years. Thank you for sharing your love of travel, adventure and golf. We sure had fun! I promise to keep it going.
No words can express, how much I will miss you Karen, however, I am grateful that you are at peace. Your bravery, strength and continued love, amazed me. You remain, a complete inspiration to so many. I will hold you in my heart, until we meet again. You are so loved, Karen. Rest well, my sister. I will love you forever. Bond by the heart.
My deepest condolences to all of Karen’s family. Prayers and blessings. xxoo
Seva Fanjoy-friend of Heathers
Rest in peace Karen. Safe journey….
Susan Garofolo
I was privileged to meet Karen through Constance. My memory of Karen’s deep presence and strength in those visits will never leave me. God bless you, Karen and all your dear friends and family.
Marina Browne
I am deeply saddened that Karen has moved on ahead of all of us. She lived her life with incredible grace and strength, and showed us how to face the hard side of life with great courage. I worked with Karen in market research. Her kindness and sense of humour coupled with her pragmatism made her a great person to work with and be around. I will miss her.
Ron Cormier
Rest in Peace Karen. I will miss that award winning smile. My condolences to her family and “the Girls”. Safe journey lovely…
Tim Hirtle
The morning that Karen passed on to a better place I had an opportunity to take a moment to look up into the bright blue sky and reflect upon our fourty some odd years of being in each others lives. That got me to thinking what a beautiful day for a beautiful soul to be on her way to heaven. I will miss you and think about you often. Words cannot express our loss of such a kind and thoughtful soul. You made all of our lives better by just being you.
Colleen Craig
Karen and I shared a love of England, especially the English countryside, books, martinis, and spirited conversation. Lately I was touched, and changed by her spirituality, her way of making sense of the world. I saw in her a rare courage in facing the unimaginable blow of her illness . I will not forget her or the inspiration she left us.
christine doody-hamilton
So very sorry to lose Karen.
We had a lot of fun on the golf course and at dinner afterwards: her sense of humour, her openness, her honesty, and her great generosity, are what I will remember most about her.
Rest in Peace, Karen.
Jo-Anne Kirley
Gone from this world far too soon, but a life well lived is a legacy of joy, pride and pleasure. I have lots of memories of good times shared that bring a smile to my face. It is so true that memories are treasures to be cherished and a source of great comfort. No doubt Karen is bringing fun and laughter to all those that surround her in the life beyond. Her spirit sails on.
Carol & Alan Day and Steve Newall
To my sister “Vene”. You are our inspiration for life, for all things good, our love, our tears and laughter … and now our courage. You are right there in our hearts and minds, forever. We love you so very, very much.
You leave Schreen, Alsey and Ted devastated, but with the most precious moments in time – The White Company, champagne, Jack and Charlie, Downton, all things lavender, Ted’s raised eyebrow, Roger … and sticky toffee pudding …
We hold you, your friends and family and medical team in our thoughts with love and thanks.
Tina and Tony Rennett
Our condolences to Karen’s family and many friends.
Alexi Helligar
I met Karen through business. I am blessed that we grew to become friends. I remember her fondly. She loved her work, and was such a bright and caring person who could resist her. I admired the charm and pure grace she brought to everything she did. I felt her love for life and for her community. I am happy to have had the opportunity to know her, and sad that I won’t have a chance for another conversation with her. Grateful for it all. My condolences to her family and dear friends.
David and Paula Hirtle-Kwan
Karen will leave with me, and my wife Paula, many, many great memories of a gentle and kind soul who gave of herself selflessly and always had the best qualities of humanity in her heart. She had a quiet competitive fire, an inquisitive intellect, a caring heart, and a thoughtful empathy.
Many of you have said that she loved England, but I remember how much she adored Elton John. I know that she is “Still Standing” but it is now from a perch high above. Both Paula and I regret we didn’t keep in touch with Karen, but I am sure she would have gotten along famously with our three daughters.
Our sincere condolences to her extended family and friends.
Lina Risi
Dear family and friends of Karen,
I didn’t know Karen well, we had dinner and a breakfast together, we did have aspirations of getting to know one another. Now you have left too soon. Can’t help but read the condolences ahead of me. Just as I thought and felt, you were a kind soul, and I would have loved to get to know you more, especially playing a few golf games together! Sorry to see you go. My heart goes out to your dear family and lifelong friends.
Thank you Constance for connecting us.
Rest in peace and thank you for creating a path where the rest of us will one day walk on. Lina and Darlene
Trudy and Hugh Grant
We have learned the sad news of Karen’s ordeal, culminating in her premature death this last weekend.
It is important to us to join with the many others who must be sending their condolences.
Karen worked with Hugh during the last years of the 20th century. At the time Hugh was Owner/Partner at Canada Market Research.
Hugh always found Karen to be modest, collegial and an all-round nice person. The projects we worked on together were a pleasure.
Karen will have left many friends among the staff and clients of the companies she graced with her presence.
We share with them and the family their loss
Judy Hamilton
Karen was so important to our world, and will never be forgotten. She lived a fabulous life and was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.
Lois Neumann
Have been putting this off, not finding the words, having known dear Karen since she and my daughter, Kimberly met and became friends when they were young children, when Karen came to visit with her Dad, Richard, and stepmom, Mia. They were the very best of neighbours, on Grosvenor Street in London. The girls became fast friends and have remained so, to this day. They, along with their mutual friend, Colleen, often included me when they got together. What an honour for me! We had so much fun, talking, giggling, eating and drinking wine together! Karen, of late, called me “her other mom”….will MISS her a great deal….not being able to see her in the last weeks because of COVID was really sad, thank you to those who were granted permission to be there. My regards and sympathy go to all family and friends. You are a great gal, Karen….thanks for being a presence in my daughter’s life and in mine.. I am happy for that. You will always be with us, love and virtual hugs to all….farewell, dear girl….see you later!
Maryse Hudon
I had the privilege of working with Karen for several years. During this time, on several occasions we had the opportunity to talk about the ‘real’ things in life like family and love and loss. Karen was very authentic in her sharing. We both benefited from our heart to heart talks and tried to squeeze them into our busy work lives.
I will miss her dearly!
My deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
Arlean Hourlier
I feel so sad that such a lovely soul left our world leaving so many people heartbroken. Having worked with Karen in market research, I had the opportunity to share many special moments with such a good person who was so genuine, kind, friendly and caring….. I truly enjoyed talking with you, Karen.
My condolences and prayers to Karen’s family and her ‘sister’ friends.
Rest in peace Karen–I will miss you!
Sandra Traynor
Gone too soon, I am deeply saddened by the news of Karen’s passing, while seeking solace in the fact that her challenging journey has finally come to an end. In the twenty years that we’ve worked together, aside from looking forward to our post-qual study drinks and dinners, I was graced with Karen’s warm presence, sharp wit and sense of humour. Style and elegance defined her.
Karen, I’ll miss your reccos and infinite knowledge on skin care. I cherish the memories of your smile, and your laughter. Thankfully, your spirit lives on.
Deepest condolences to her beloved friends and family.
Kimberly Kent-Rodgman
My mum lived next door to Karen’s dad and Mia on Grosvenor Street in London, Ontario when we first met … I was 6 or 7 years old. When I first heard about “Karen”, it was from the neighbourhood kids … they were always talking about this “Karen” person. The way they described her, I thought she was an adult when in fact she was only 7 or 8 years old. Once we met we became fast friends. She was painfully shy … I was shy too, so we had that in common. The problem was she only lived with her dad every second weekend and I went to my dad’s every second weekend so it was hard to get on the same schedule at first. Then we discovered that my dad and her mum lived in the same neighbourhood (Oakridge Acres). So between the two of us, we managed to get our parents on board so we’d both be in the same place at the same time. And so began our 50 year friendship.
Things that remind me of Karen when we were children and teenagers:
– Barbies – she had a ton of them
– Barbie clothes – she had a trunk of them
– Barbie camper, dream house … you name it, she had it … so much fun
– Donny Osmond, our first shared love
– David Cassidy “I Think I Love You” and The Partridge Family
– Talking on the phone, rotary dial, lol, for hours on end
– Drive-ins
– Cleo the Bassett Hound
– Elton John posters plastered all over every wall in her bedroom, including her ceiling
– Camping at Sauble Beach
– Playing Rummoli with her mum
– Scarey movies … she loved them, I’d get nightmares
– Gazillion bottles of nail polish and a drawerful of makeup
– Karen’s friend Colleen who also lived in the same neighbourhood as Karen’s mum and my dad – she thought it was “odd” that we were playing with our Barbie dolls when we were 15 and 16 years old, lol
Things that remind me of Karen when we were adults:
– The Three Pigs … that’s what we called ourselves (Karen, Colleen and I) … we’d have sleepovers and wear matching flannel pajamas day and night while drinking wine
– Cognac, Brandy & Vodka
– Bon Jovi
– Nova Scotia and PEI – the three pigs on vacation
– The movie “He’s Just Not That Into You” on the plane to Nova Scotia – it happened to be very funny and ironic at the time
– Roger Federer
– Our mutual love of England
– Marks and Spencer
– Gazillion bottles of nail polish, creams, lotions, washes (Dr. Perricone) and a drawerful of makeup (lol)
– Paris, The Eiffel Tower
– Seeing Donny Osmond in concert together
– My Service Dog Bella
– Sitting on the deck smoking a cigar of all things … but did we ever laugh!
– The rest of Karen’s “sister” friends – my honour to get to know and love them and to share in their beautiful, timeless bond with Karen
Things I loved about Karen:
– Her gentle spirit
– Her beautiful smile, the warmth in her eyes
– Her compassion, kindness, her vulnerability and her strength
– Her morals, her innocence, her intellect, her love of animals
– Her hands … I really, really loved her hands, they were soft and delicate
And now:
I don’t know how to exist in a world where Karen doesn’t. I suppose a part of me never will. Karen, I love and cherish you and you will always live in my heart. Thank you for being my friend. Kimberly, Kimi, KiPig xoxoxo
Jim Walker
My dear sister Karen. She has been taken from us far too soon. I first met Karen “finally” when she was 8 years old at Grosvenor Avenue in London Ontario. That is where our Dad lived. I was 18ish. I didn’t see much of her when she was younger for reasons unknown but we reconnected when she was a young lady. She came down to California where I was living at the time and we just toured the coast in my brand new car. She was so fun to be with. I remember we went to Las Vegas and I gave her diamond earrings for her birthday. Although they were very small she smiled from rar to ear. We talked and talked and talked about the past and how her and I promised to get together much more often in the future. Although I lived in California and she lived in Toronto obviously we never got to see each other very often. I would meet her down on the Danforth at her favourite Greek restaurant whenever I could and when I came home on holidays. Obviously in my heart I am saddened we didn’t do it more often. I will never forget Karen and I will never forget the loving message she sent to me just before her passing. I will always cherish it. Karen, play lots of golf with Dad. I hear he’s pretty good and I hear you are pretty good too. An absolute shame that you and I never played together. But maybe someday.
I love you
Your brother Jim xoxo