Karen Newman passed away in her home in Kelso, Washington on March 24, 2019.

She was born in 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, the second of two daughters, to parents Albert and Lillian Egness. The family moved to Mokena, Illinois when she was five years old and seven years later to Vashon Island, Washington. She graduated from Vashon High School where she had met Walter Jones and they married in 1962. Their son Allen Jones was born in 1963.

They enjoyed fishing and riding their horses in the mountains. Both Walt and Allen died in a tragic hunting accident in 1977. A few years later Karen met and married Gene Newman and they eventually moved to Vader, Washington. Karen and Gene both loved fishing and spent many summers at a lake in eastern Washington. They also enjoyed playing games and fiercely competed with each other for pennies. Karen also enjoyed learning and doing many crafts.

Two years before Gene passed away Karen suffered a stroke which left her entirely blind. She was so independent and determined early that she would live on her own with the help of many devoted friends. As her health problems increased over the years she battled courageously through crisis after crisis. She eventually became a double amputee and always her strong faith in God and her determination to keep going sustained her. She was a very generous person and loved talking to all her friends and making new ones. She leaves behind her sister Carole (Garry), three nieces, Robin(Scott), Rhonda(Randi), Kari(David), and nephew Garry(Toni) and their children and a step-son Doug Newman.

Her caring and special friends, Wanda(Bob) Bandurski, Donna and Gary Nelson and Lois Wilson were such a great help to her over many years.

We’ll miss her greatly.