Karen Marie Sheahan, age 59, passed away on the morning of Monday, October 3rd, 2022. An adoring mother to two and beloved daughter, sister and grandmother, she will be missed by many. Karen was born on September 27th, 1963 in Denver Colorado to Dennis Sheahan and Marilyn Sheahan. The second born of three girls, Karen grew up in a home filled with adventure and love. The family made the move from Colorado to New York when Karen was 14 years old, and settled down in Texas when Karen was 17.
Shortly after moving to Texas Karen attended a block party where she met Mark Traylor. It didn't take long for the two to marry, and years later their two daughters would run up and down that same street between the homes of their grandparents. Karen always had a curious mind, and graduated with an associates degree in business administration prior to getting married. She loved floral design and attended classes to hone her skills. Karen and Mark married in 1986 and welcomed their first daughter Melissa Marie in 1991 and their second daughter Ashlyn Nicole in 1997.
Anyone who knew Karen knew that being a mother was of tantamount importance in her life, and there was nothing she valued more than her daughters. Karen was honored to work for over ten years as the office manager alongside her father at the family business, Sheahan Self Storage. The duo made friends with every tenant that crossed the threshold and enjoyed having lunch at Ross's Old Cafe. Wherever Karen and Dennis went together laughter followed and the staff at Ross's quickly became a second family.
Karen was a lovely, sassy, quick witted, kind, delicate woman who loved her people deeply and had a mischievous glint in her eye. Her smile brightened every room she walked into. She was a wonderful cook, writer, and homemaker who loved to make people feel seen, loved, and valued. She could talk with anyone about anything, and was always willing to lend an ear and a hand. She knew her mind and would tell you in a second what was on it. When she was in your life you gained color, flavor, laughter, and light. To know her truly was to love her and to be loved by her made you better for it.
Karen was preceded in death by her father, Dennis Sheahan. Karen is survived by her mother Marilyn Sheahan, her sisters Teresa Sligh (husband Scott Sligh) and Denise Bell (husband Eric Bell), daughters Melissa Byrne (husband Michael Byrne) and Ashlyn Traylor (fiance Jonah Rivera), granddaughter Olivia Rivera, and many other beloved family members and friends.
A visitation for Karen will be held Wednesday, October 12, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750. A funeral service will occur Thursday, October 13, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home.
