Karen Louise Weiner

MONTEREY, CA ? Karen Weiner passed away, unexpectedly, as a result of injuries from a fall. Karen was born in Monterey to Edward and Betty Anne Weiner and grew up on the Monterey Peninsula. From age three, she attended the Tri-County School for the Deaf in Watsonville, transferring with her sister, Virginia, to the California School for the Deaf in Berkeley. Karen excelled in athletics, competing in volleyball, track and badminton. She also belonged to a bowling league and enjoyed bicycling. She was honored as First Princess of the Student Body Government in her senior year of high school. Upon graduation, she worked briefly for an insurance company in San Francisco. Karen was hired by Fort Ord to work in the produce section of the Commissary, where she remained for nearly twelve years, earning promotions and winning ?Worker of the Year? awards several times. Karen was very interested in photography and auto mechanics and took courses in these subjects, as well as English and American Sign Language, at Monterey Peninsula College. She had a lifelong desire to learn. Karen loved gardening and spent hours outdoors with her beloved German Shepherds at her side. She was fascinated by farm animals, found pigs endearing and was proud of her special ceramic and stuffed pig collection. Karen suffered from mental illness most of her life, but she maintained a deep love of God and family and appreciation for her Catholic faith. She was filled with goodness, had a keen sense of justice and a wry sense of humor. She was cherished by her family and friends and will be sorely missed. Karen was preceded in death by her father, Edward Weiner and niece, Michelle Inga. She is survived by her mother, Betty Anne Weiner; sisters Andrea Harrod (Hershel), Joan Inga, Virginia Malzkuhn (Brian) and Elizabeth Rose; nephews and nieces, Christopher, Gregory and Julie Inga and Matthew, Melissa and Megan Malzkuhn; many loving cousins, including Barbara Napier Beaumont, in Spain, who showered Karen with affection and John, Lisa and Eric Harrod, who kept sparks of joy coming to her. The family extends gratitude to the dedicated medics and staff at Community Hospital (CHOMP), to the supportive staff at Monterey County Behavioral Health and wonderful staff and residents of Drake House, who cared lovingly and creatively for Karen for the past couple of years. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 10:00 am at the Santa Rosalia Chapel within San Carlos Cemetery in Monterey. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to San Carlos Cathedral Cornerstone Campaign, 500 Church Street, Monterey, CA 93940 in memory of Karen Weiner or to: Donald N. Parodi Memorial Charitable Trust, P.O. Box 1641, Fremont, CA 94538 in memory of Karen Weiner to enhance programs for deaf children at California School for the Deaf and the Deaf community.