She was born on March 6, 1952 to William and Mary Hanavan, and lived her entire life in the Kansas City metro area. She was a 1970 graduate of Southeast High School. She balanced life between being a stay at home mother and various secretarial and management jobs. The majority of her professional career was spent working for the Boy Scouts of America, from which she retired in 2011. She was also active in school PTA, selling Avon products, ceramics, traveling, and volunteering in her church and community.
She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her brothers, Michael and Kevin Hanavan. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Jim Bellah, as well as a son, Steven Bellah of North Kansas City, MO, a granddaughter Abigail Bellah, of St. Robert, MO, a brother, Bill Hanavan of Blue Springs, MO, an aunt, Ruth Franklin of Pleasant Hill, MO, and her loyal dog, Jack.
A Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 6:00pm on Monday, January 3 followed by a Celebration of Life at 6:00pm at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, KCMO.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Boy Scouts of America, or that you volunteer your time somewhere in your community, as Karen did throughout her lifetime.
