Karen Denise Slorp

Karen Denise Slorp, 71, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 26, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer that lasted more than two years. She was born on June 3, 1955, in Riverside, California, to the late Robert A. Gibbs and Frances Claire Gibbs.

Karen graduated from Mayfield Senior School, an all-girls Catholic school, in 1973 before attending Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles on a music scholarship. Blessed with a beautiful singing voice, Karen truly had the voice of an angel, and music remained one of the great passions of her life.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures—reading a good book, preparing delicious meals, baking for those she loved, tending to her orchids, and caring for her beloved dogs. Her warmth, kindness, and gentle spirit touched everyone who knew her.

Above all else, Karen’s greatest blessing was the love she shared with her husband, Donald. They were not only devoted spouses but also best friends, constant companions, and each other’s greatest source of strength and happiness. Their love was evident to all who knew them, and the life they built together was filled with unwavering devotion, laughter, and cherished memories.

Karen is lovingly survived by her husband, Donald Slorp of Punta Gorda, Florida; her sister, Elizabeth Brown, and brother-in-law, Jeff Brown, of Reno, Nevada; her children, Jason Schrader of Oregon, Ashley Schrader of California, Brian Slorp, Stacie Brown (Slorp), Christopher Slorp, and Aaron Slorp, all of Southwest Florida; seven cherished grandchildren; and one treasured great-grandchild.

A celebration of Karen’s life will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 1pm at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home; 635 E. Marion Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made in Karen’s honor to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing research, supporting patients, and working toward a cure. Donations may be made online at pancan.org⁠.

Karen will be remembered for her beautiful voice, compassionate heart, generous spirit, and the deep love she shared with her family and friends. Though she will be profoundly missed, her memory will live on in the music she loved, the meals she lovingly prepared, the flowers she nurtured, and, most of all, in the countless lives she touched with her kindness and love.