Tribute

On the evening of July 9th surrounded by family, Karen Mary Olsson, 75, lost her short battle with lung cancer. Karen leaves to mourn her husband of 43 years, John C. Kennedy; sons Alexander (Anne-Laurence) and Erik (Alayna); brother Greg (Sheryl); sister Ingrid (Steve); sister Kristina (Brad); as well as kin and in-laws in Canada, the US, and England.

Karen was born on November 27, 1950 to parents Dorothy (née Tucker) and Olle Olsson in Saint John, New Brunswick. She often summered on the farm of Uncle Howard and her Aunt Karin – after whom she was named. Inspired by these summers, she would later earn a Bachelor of Science (Biology) at the University of New Brunswick in 1972. She then hitch-hiked in Europe, the USSR, and Morocco before returning to Canada, where she studied nursing. As an outpost nurse in small Labrador communities, Karen did everything from birthing babies to caring for the deceased. Culminating in 1988 with a Masters of Nursing, Karen’s knowledge of midwifery and health care remained a passion that she shared throughout her life.

In St. John’s, Newfoundland, Karen met John through their shared love of Labrador. Marrying in 1983, they later travelled with their sons throughout Mexico, Norway and Australia, prior to moving to a farm in Nova Scotia. Always open to trying new things, Karen studied painting, took up Tai Chi, ran for the NDP federally, and helped found a library at her sons elementary school. In 2017, Karen and John moved to Salt Spring Island. Like everywhere she lived, Karen immersed herself in the community; practicing Tai Chi, hiking, gardening and helping the insecurely housed through the Ambassador program. Above all Karen will be remembered for her kindness.

The family thanks Karen’s doctor Christopher Applewhaite, Island Health Nurses, the Lady Minto Hospital, and all who offered help at the house. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to charities such as Oxfam, the David Suzuki foundation, Salt Spring Food Bank, or IWAV. A celebration of Karen’s life will occur at 4-6pm Friday the 24th of July at the All Saints By-The-Sea, 110 Park Street, Salt Spring Island.