Karen was one of the warmest, liveliest, most sensitive, smartest and fiercely loyal people I have ever known. Although I am heartbroken and in disbelief at her passing, I still sometimes manage a smile when I think of her and all the good times and endless laughs we shared.

Our friendship began over forty years ago when I was a music student at U of T. I babysat Debra and Tammy and from then on became a regular fixture in their house. Karen was the kind of friend who was always interested in what I was doing, what my brothers were doing ( we both had 4 brothers, perhaps that’s why we got along so well!) and remembered every detail about everything and everyone. There were times when we only saw each other occasionally but we would always pick up where we had left off as if no time had passed.

She was curious to learn and see as much of the world as possible. I was studying in London, England the year that the Orford quartet performed the Beethoven cycle at Wigmore Hall, so along with Ruth, we did and saw everything we could squeeze in. What a great time we had!

Karen and Andy did the same in 2006, the year they spent in Montreal while Andy was a visiting professor at McGill. No rock was left unturned, they enjoyed Montreal and learned more about the city than one could possibly imagine.

My most precious memories are the times we spent together either at our home in Montreal or at our family cottage in the Laurentians, usually over a meal and some good wine, laughing and talking about everything; music, art, sailing and cars, and of course their beloved daughters Debra and Tammy and their adored grandchildren, Katherine, Kurtis and Alexander. Karen became very close to our own children, reading stories to Nicholas when he was little, endlessly playing the piano with Charlotte and painting and cooking with Claire in Old Montreal.

I am incredibly lucky to have had such an amazing friend and I will cherish all the memories we shared including my last visit in January when we caught up on everything, never suspecting what was ahead. I miss you, dearest Karen, and all my love and thoughts go out to Andy, Debra, Tammy, Katherine, Kurtis and Alexander.

Christmas 2006 in Montreal with Charlotte

June 2007 in Montreal