Karen L. Buckles unexpectedly passed away from pneumonia April 6, 2022 at the age of 75, surrounded by loved ones. Karen was born in Napa, CA on May 23, 1946. She was the daughter of Jerry and Ethelmae Fanjoy. Karen graduated from Napa High School class of 1964. She attended Napa College for 2 years while she worked at Queen of the Valley Hospital. She met the love of her life, Jack, at Napa College. They were married one and a half years later. They moved to Phoenix in 1971 where she worked 35 years for Dr. Bandy at Valley Cardiologists.
Karen was the most kind, loving wife a man could ever have. Together Jack and Karen explored Arizona back roads while visiting ghost towns and finding old mines. They spent almost 55 wonderful years together. Karen and Jack had one daughter, Nicole. Karen was patient, encouraging and always there to help in any way. She was the best mother in the world. She loved to laugh and to spend time with her family. Karen’s grandchildren were the pride and joy of her life. Her kind spirit, love for reading and zest for life will live on through them.
Karen loved being a part of Lions International and the Phoenix Metro Lions. She held offices as President, Secretary, numerous committee chairs and District 21A Zone chair for 3 years. She was recognized twice by Lions International for her dedication to service to the community. She had a passion for the reading project, Pathway to Reading, which brought books to underprivileged children.
Karen is survived by her beloved husband, Jack; daughter, Nicole and husband Jason; 3 grandchildren, Skyla, Kaelyn, Tavin; a sister, Michele and husband Doug; a sister, Dawn.
Celebration of Life is to be held on Thursday May 5, 2022 at Mountain View Cemetery Chapel at 10:00 am. 7900 E Main St, Mesa 85207
Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to Phoenix Metro Lions at c/o Charles Andrews 4309 W. Sandra Circle Glendale Az. 85308 Mountain View Cemetery 7900 E Main St, Mesa 85207. The funds will be used for a small memorial for Karen Buckles and Karen Pryce to recognize their work on the Pathway to Reading Project.
My sincerest condolences. There was never an important event that your mom would ever miss. I am so deeply saddened that she has passed. I know she is watching overall of you. I sending you a big virtual hug and sending you strength as you say your goodbyes. Nicole, have the kids write down a funny story or thought every time you miss her. Read those fun memories. Put them in a book or jar. These beautiful memories will be your reminder to live every day like she did. I miss you all. Love from my family to yours. God bless.
Nicole, I have fond memories of your Mom from all the birthday and Halloween parties where she was there helping and enjoying the kids. She always had a warm smile and a kind word for me…like when she told me how great I looked when I was nine months pregnant. Another time she was very concerned when I showed up to one party with my face swollen and bruised after wisdom tooth extractions. She made me laugh by saying I should have punched the surgeon. My condolences to all of you for her loss. Nicole, I see so much of you in her face in that beautiful photo. 💗
Jr. High days
Our friendship began in 7th grade. The transiton from grade school to Jr. high was sometimes challenging. Lunch time was not in a classroom anymore. Most students walked the campus with their friends. I found myself not wanting to sit it out by myself so I asked some of the more popular girls if they wanted to have lunch with me, but they always said they already had someone. After several turn downs, Karen spoke up and said she didn’t have anybody and that kindness was the start of a life long bond.
Karen and I were not in the popularly group but we developed a comfortable instant friendship sharing our lunch timel together. We found we could trust and depend on each other and share all our feelings and secrets, especially the cute boys we liked.
Sometimes we were silly but always happy. One time Karen got a strawberry milk shake from the school cafeteria. We had just got seated on the quad bench when it slipped from her hands and landed in the middle of her full skirt. We both were speachless as we stared at it. Seemed like forever just starring at it. Finally I said “it looks like a pink cow pie”. Karen gave me the “look” and I thought she might throw some at me but we both broke out in hysterical laughter . We did like to laugh
Another time we had a whip cream fight at my house . We had hardwood floors so we took off our shoes and went sliding through the house flinging whip cream everywhere. We were goofy girls always laughing and enjoying ourselves. We were inseparable while learning life lessons in patience, companion, dependability and honesty.
I am so glad Karen had the life she had. She was smart, she has a career a good marriage, a beautiful daughter and grandchildren,. So much love.
Until we meet again my dear friend…. I wonder if they have whip cream in heaven.
I first worked with Karen Buckles at Sunburst Elementary. She and Karen Pryce volunteered there with our primary students who were having difficulty reading. Their dedication to and love of children was evident from the start!! Sunburst students were also fortunate to be part of their Pathways to Reading project.
When I moved to Mountain View School, the Karen’s and the Metro Lions’ Pathways to Reading came with me, always making sure our high risk primary students had books to take home each year. They were so loved – the books, the extraordinary hand-stitched reading buddies, Mrs. Buckles and Mrs. Pryce!! Students come up to me today, many years after receiving their reading buddies, to say they still have them AND still read to them!! These wonderful women and their project have made a difference in our students’ lives, and we are eternally grateful.
Karen Buckles was not only a volunteer to me, not only someone who donated books, she was a dear and valued friend. She was an angel on Earth…
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay awhile and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same.”
Thank you, Karen, for coming into my life.