Karen Maxine McVay

     Many things can be said about Karen Maxine McVay. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, energetic, empathic and decisive woman, her compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing her charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. She was warmhearted, gentle and organized in all the things she sought to accomplish. Karen was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around her. She generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

     Karen grew up with 6 sibblings. She had 3 brothers, Jesse, Wesley, Karl (her twin) and 3 sisters, Nancy, Rhonda, Misty. Karen was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with her family. She was even-tempered, taking care not to get involved in too many family conflicts. This quality served her well, in perpetually bringing harmony, understanding and a sense of peace to the family. Karen carried these traits into her adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found her pleasurable and delightful to be around. Karen was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those she knew.

     As a young girl, Karen was imaginative, ingenious, clever and a “novel” thinker. Regardless of whether her peers were older or younger, or came from different backgrounds, nanny and granny could easily relate to other kids. She was a part of the Silver Air Patrol. In her spare time she liked playing dress up. However, to Karen, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with her many friends.

     During her high school years, Karen had a natural flair for cheering on and applauding just about everyone. She was constantly offering her support and encouragement to fellow members of the groups and activities in which she participated. She did well in school and genuinely enjoyed telling stories in a way that drew people to her. In this way, Karen had a talent for becoming the center of attention, a kind of social catalyst. Karen was often found to be the lead person facilitating a group activity, frequently filling the role of being “the life of the party.” Teachers and classmates knew nanny and granny as an excellent listener. She placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped waiting for her just around the corner.

     Always considered a “good” friend, Karen sought to understand the things that others enjoyed. For this reason Karen always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. Karen’s friends found her easy to know and get along with because of her talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in her dealings with others. Karen would always seek to learn what her friends enjoyed, and she would go out of her way to make sure that their needs were met. Karen was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, she sometimes felt ill at ease when she was the one on the receiving end. Throughout her life she had many friends. While growing up, some of her best friends were Sandy Lowry and the Fosters.

     On August 1, 1994 Karen married John (Mack) McVay at the Regional Park of Midwest City, OKlahoma. Compassionate and devoted, Karen worked hard to make her new family happy. She was always generous with her time and this meant that John came first in Karen’s book. She was always caring and made certain that she considered John’s feelings. By trusting her emotions, Karen did her best to make sure that both the marriage and home life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how nanny and granny was truly a person of empathy.

     Karen’s quality of being a caring and tolerant person who was very accepting of others translated to being a good mother to her children. Karen shared these values with her one child, one daughter, Donna and one step daughter Melinda McVay. Karen was also blessed with 5 step grandchildren, Clinton Reed, Samantha Jo McVay, Trista Emerson, Aurora McVay, Cory McVay. Nanny / granny related well to children of all ages and was able to connect to them on their level. The children always loved her and she was completely and totally devoted to them.

Karen experienced success in her work life over and over again. Her primary occupation was her primary occupation was homemaker. For her own home. Karen always made the effort to understand what was needed at work, and was well known by her colleagues as a team player. Karen took pride in managing her professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. Karen was one to take the initiative and her skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. Karen continually sought to learn e, a talent that enabled her to help them develop their own potential.

     Because she was organized and methodical, Karen took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were playing with her nieces and nephews and god daughter Fancie, crocheting, baking pound cake, giving to kids as a part of the Shriners. Karen enjoyed sharing her passions with others and could singularly focus on one hobby at a time.

     Throughout her life, Karen was actively involved in professional and community organizations. With a talent for focusing in on exactly what was required to be completed, Karen was known to her peers as being able to strengthen any group endeavor. When called on, Karen was a natural leader who created harmony and good relationships within the group, often putting her own needs aside. Karen's involvement could easily help structure and organize any part of an organization. An added benefit was Karen's ability to bring valued principles along with her. Throughout her later years, Karen was an active member of the MWC Eastern Star which she is a past matron and a current Royal Matron of the Del City Amarath.

     Karen enjoyed traveling, and because she was so well organized, she would take on the responsibility of planning and scheduling all of the family vacations. Her gift for keeping things lively meant that vacations with Karen were always enjoyable. Favorite vacations included Sweep Week.

     Karen was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Karen's favorite was her dogs, Babie Darci Mae and Lady. She is survived by children, Donna and Melinda; her grandchildren, Clinton, Samantha, Trista, Aurora, Cory; brothers, Jesse, Wesley, Karl; sisters, Nancy, Rhonda, Misty. Services were held at Sunny Lane Funeral Home Chapel. Karen was laid to rest in Sunny Lane Cemetery.

     Throughout her life, Karen was a gregarious and enthusiastic woman. She was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. She was imaginative, original, tender hearted and easy to get along with. Karen leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Karen Maxine McVay.