Karen Margaret Stewart

It is with deep heartbreak and sorrow that we announce the unexpected passing of Karen Stewart on February 7, 2025. Born on April 19, 1958, Karen was predeceased by her father, Reg Johnson, and her beloved husband of 44 years, Wes Stewart on November 30, 2024.

Karen adored her children, Matt (Nguyen) and Will (Winnie). She is also survived by her mother, Nancy, and her sisters Patty (Glen), Joanne (Keith), and Susan (Drew), sister-in-law Chris (Graham), nieces and nephews Mark (Ashton), Dana (Hugo), Leah (Matt), Dave, John (Emily), great-nephews Spencer and River, and great-nieces Sophie and Rue, who were cherished by Karen and played a special part in her life.

Karen loved bringing people together. She was often the life of the party, the last to leave, never wanting the fun to end. She loved music and bands and parties and fun. In her teens she became smitten with a rock and roll drummer named Wes, becoming their #1 groupie from day 1, leading to a love for music for all of her days.

She was a dedicated accountant, earning her CPA (CMA) certification, and many of her clients became close friends over the years. She loved the ability to work at the lake in the summer giving her the chance to live the “lake life” with Wes and the kids.

Ah, Victoria Beach, our family cabin was the place that she loved more than anything. She liked nothing more than a cabin full of family, especially all the kids and their friends. Neighbour visits, beach days, boating, cocktail hours, bonfires, Sunday Fundays and games. These were a few of her favourite things. Our VB family included so many neighbours and friends who will forever miss her.

Karen's love for travel took her to many wonderful places. Her first trip to Mexico with her kids in 2002 began her lifelong affection for Isla Mujeres and Puerto Vallarta. So many trips and so many great friendships made, with her most recent trip to Puerto Vallarta in January. It brings us great comfort knowing that her last days were spent in one of her favourite places, basking in the heat and sun.

She cherished every trip. Beach, boating and catamaran trips were among her favourites. Many short trips to Calgary to visit with Will, Winnie and their friends. Will especially loved that they would come home to their house that was cleaned to the “Karen standard”, something that the rest of us have never been able to achieve. As a devoted mom, she spent many years volunteering to raise money for a school trip to Tanzania in 2010. What an extraordinary opportunity it was to take this trip with Matt.

In March 2023, she attended Matt and Nguyen's wedding in Vietnam with a large contingent of family and friends. So many adventures (remember the tour that never ends) and special wedding events. It was an amazing and memorable time seeing many parts of the country, and especially being able to visit Nguyen’s hometown Tay Ninh to meet her parents, Nhan and Phuong, before the wedding. She longed to return to Vietnam and have many more travel adventures ahead.

Her trip to Sweden and Finland last summer was another highlight, especially traveling with little Miss Sophie, as one of her nanny’s, on her first overseas adventure. Visiting cousin Nancy (Knut) at their cabin in Finland and eating Nancy’s Finnish pie on an island in the middle of the Baltic Sea was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that was so very special. Once home, she made this pie many times and self-declared that it was now her world famous pie. She also immediately added this experience to her bucket list just so she could check it off. Oh how Karen loved her lists.

Matt, Will and Karen’s entire family are so grateful for all the love and support we have received over the past difficult days. It truly means the world to all of us. Karen's love for life, family and friends will be deeply missed and the memories she created with each of us will forever remain in our hearts.

If desired, donations can be made in memory of Karen to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation – Nancy Fund, 675 McDermot Ave, Room 1160, R3E 0V9.

A gathering to honour Karen will be planned and take place at a later date.