Karen Louise Armstrong

Karen Louise Armstrong of Blenheim passed away at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on Thursday February 26, 2009. Karen was born 50 years ago to Mary (Kozlof) Johnston and the late Walter Kozlof. In 1977 she married her “lifetime best friend” Philip. When asked what she was most proud of in life, Karen’s reply was her children and her grandchildren. She was the proud mother of Jennifer & Paul Dowd of Blenheim, Matthew Armstrong & Emma Poirier of Windsor, James Armstrong of Windsor, Lisa Armstrong & Murray Work of B.C. and Lacey Armstrong of B.C. She was the much loved Grandma to McKenzie Dowd, Olyvia Dowd, Natasha Maurina and Victoria Armstrong. Karen will be missed by her brothers and sisters Janice & Glen Yourex of Alberta, Sharron & Brian Cooper of Chatham, Larry & Jane Kozlof of Blenheim, Paul Kozlof of Alberta, Pat & Tom Hamelin of Essex, Maggie & Rudi Engel of Ailsa Craig and David Johnston of Blenheim. She is predeceased by her father Walter Kozlof and her dad Clarence Johnston and by her brothers Alex Kozlof and Ricky Kozlof. In life there are givers and there are takers. Karen was a giver. She was passionate about helping people. She was employed as a Psychiatric Nurse, a career that she described as the “work love of her life”. She had a large garden and she canned food that she grew. She made maple syrup. She enjoyed making crafts and sewing. Most importantly she shared with those in need and she instilled values in her children that will be carried on through them. The Armstrong and Kozlof families invite friends for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Sunday March 1, 2009 from 2 – 5 & 7 – 9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at the Funeral Home on Monday March 2, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Bruce Cook of the Blenheim United Church officiating. Cremation will take place and a private family interment will take place at a later date. In keeping with Karen’s love of children, friends wishing to make a memorial donation are asked to consider the Make A Wish Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.