Karen Elizabeth Keitel

Karen Keitel, of Warkworth, Ontario passed away March 28, 2023 peacefully at home at the age of 62 surrounded by family after a brave battle with cancer. Wife of Gary Galley, mother of Andrew Scollard (Amanda), Katie Greatrix (Richard), and Tyler Scollard (Kendra). Step-mother to Mike Galley (Laura) and Andrew Galley (Kristen). Grandmother to Mason, Emmett, Arya, Alex, Tripp, Abby, and Sonny. Daughter of the late Duncan and Eleanor Keitel of Keene, Ontario.

Karen loved the outdoors. Always enjoying the serenity and beauty of nature and up for an adventure, Karen was an avid backcountry and winter camper. Having visited many lakes in the Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park over the last 18 years, she also enjoyed her many stays at Silent Lake Provincial Park for family holidays as well as solo trips with Gary. As a rule, Karen always believed that no one should return to the campsite without picking up firewood. She believed this was a communal responsibility that has been instilled in her grandchildren for future generations.

Her love of nature and birds carried on for her at home as Karen was an avid bird-watcher. She had numerous bird feeders, all unique with different offerings to local birds as they passed through. She knew the names of all the local birds and as the seasons changed, she knew which birds were on their way and which ones had moved on. Her favourite bird was a cardinal because of its stunning beauty and prominent features as well as its song.

Karen was an amazing gardener; having learned from her own father, Duncan. She had a greenhouse that she spent countless hours in starting seeds, transplanting, and reorganizing for maximum growth. One of her favourite things was the smell of the greenhouse with fresh seedlings. Always growing too much, she liked to share her surplus with family and friends. Working the earth with her hands in her gardens and nurturing her plants gave her so much joy as well as bragging rights for the volume of vegetables she could produce in a season.

As a Grandmother, Karen was both fun and loving. She loved her grandchildren to no end and she will be missed dearly. As a family we are all devastated but know she is in a better place and no longer in pain. There will be a small service at a future date held for immediate family. In memory of Karen, donations to the Five Counties Children’s Centre would be greatly appreciated. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.comstockkaye.com for the family.