Karen D. Southwick

Karen Dee Southwick (Hendren) was born May 22, 1945 in Tulsa, OK and at last received all that was promised her by the Lord Jesus Christ on July 30, 2021. She is preceded by her parents John and Ruth Hendren, and brother Charley. Karen is survived by her husband of 52 years Karl Southwick, children Julie O’Neill and son-in-law Kevin, Jason and daughter-in-law Jessica; grandchildren Joshua O’Neill, Jordan Patterson (Keri), Caohman O’Neill (Samantha), Aysa Sears (Gage), Matthew O’Neill, Brooke Southwick and Adielle O’Neill; great grandchildren Brenton, Malaya, Lyrik, Aidy, Caellum and Rev.

While Karen was a “homemaker” she may better be described as a consummate volunteer and mother to all. She was the practice catcher for her brother’s baseball team, led a Girl Scout troop for 6 years, taught Bible school and Pioneer Club, nursed every kid in the neighborhood through chicken pox and broken hearts, advocated for domestic violence survivors, and served on innumerable groups and service committees. And if your Derby High School Marching Band uniform needed hemmed between 1986 and 1996, you have likely worn her handiwork. She was a skilled seamstress, an artist too humble to show her work, a very vocal Shocker basketball fan, and loved people with her full heart. She will be missed by her family and by all those she adopted as her family.

We celebrate Karen’s life this week with visitation Tuesday August 3rd 1-8pm (family present 5-7pm) and services Wednesday August 4th at 10am. Graveside following at Hill Crest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her honor to Catholic Charities Harbor House.