Karen will be remembered for her big heart and her wide-ranging interests. Trained as a graphic artist, Karen continued her love of all things creative after she and her husband Paul Crouch moved from Toronto to Salt Spring Island in 1991.  She sold her hand-crafted ceramic tiles at the Saturday Market, put artistic flare into her “Karen for You” B & B business, served the residents at Heritage Place and most recently, furthered her reputation as a Crazy Cat Lady by being a dedicated employee and cat advocate at the local branch of the SPCA.

It was a joy to visit Karen’s home, where her enthusiasm for art and creativity was on display. Karen loved the unusual, the quirky, and anything with a cat on it! Nova Scotia folk art shared the walls with her late husband Paul’s large abstract paintings, as well as Karen’s own whimsical creations and unique objects collected from all parts of Canada. Karen could tile a bathroom as easily as she could decorate her famous ginger cookies.  She could talk knowledgeably about art, and she could calm a feral cat. She was a Renaissance woman with a style all her own.

Karen died peacefully at home with good friends at her side. She will be dearly missed.

Donations can be made in Karen’s name to the BCSPCA or the Canadian Cancer Society.

No service is planned at this time.