Karen Lea Newbom, 71, passed away peacefully and in the loving presence of her family on April 26th.

Karen was always quick to smile and to offer a helping hand or a kind word of encouragement to everyone she came into contact with. She was a sweet, kind, loving, and generous soul who helped make the world a better place. She will be greatly missed.

Karen was born in the old Kirkand Hospital on September 21, 1945 to Walt and Mabel Ferguson. She grew up in Kirkland WA, and attended Lake Washington High School, where she graduated in 1964. She married the love of her life, John Newbom, in 1965 and were blessed with two children - daughter, Kristin, and son, Jonathan.

While raising her family, Karen first worked as a secretary for a small business, and then as an assistant school secretary and teacher's aide. Karen loved working with kids and enjoyed a long career with the Lake Washington School District, where she won the Educators Golden Apple Award for Excellence before retiring.

Karen also took pleasure in supporting her kids in their interests as they were growing up and was happy to be involved in activities such as Camp Fire Girls, Girls Softball, Parent Teacher Committees, Theatre, and especially Stock Car Racing at Evergreen Speedway.

After retiring, Karen and her husband downsized and moved to Carnation, WA where they were very fond of the mountain scenery, taking long walks, spending time with their grandkids, watching NASCAR, and going fishing. While living in Carnation, Karen worked part time at Remlinger Farms and at Carnation Elementary as a special education paraprofessional.

Karen also liked to travel and enjoyed many trips to California to visit her sister Millie, and to the East Coast and Minnesota to visit her daughter. She especially enjoyed a trip to Hawaii that she and John took for their 20th wedding Anniversary.

Karen's son, Jon, lives in Gold Bar, WA with his wife, Alecia, and son, Devin. Her daughter, Kristin, lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her husband, David, and their sons, Oskar and Griffin.

Karen is survived by her daughter, Kristin Hancock (husband, David) and son, Jon Newbom (wife, Alecia); She was "Grammie" to grandsons Oskar, Devin, and Griffin. She is also survived by her sister, Millie Holmes (partner, Bill), brother, Vic Ferguson; sister-in-law LaVerne Ferguson; numerous nieces and nephews who loved their Aunt Karen (or Aunt Dee Dee) so much; and many friends and neighbors. Karen was preceded in death by her husband, John in 2000.

Dear friends and family members,

Thank you for all your kind and loving remembrances of our mom, Karen. We have appreciated your condolences and warm wishes during this difficult time.

Due to a number of circumstances out of our control, we have to postpone the memorial service. We hope that this is not an inconvenience to anyone. We look forward to honoring and celebrating Karen's life with you and will let you know when we are able to set a new date and location.


Donations in memory of Karen Newbom may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, or American Heart Association.

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Plato