September 23, 1964 - May 2, 2022
Following a hard-fought battle with cancer, Karen Lore Rentschler, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of May 2, 2022, with her family by her side.
Karen will be lovingly remembered by her husband Keith Mackenzie, children Taryn(Davin), Aaron(Sarah), Alex, Rodney(Jill), 7 grandchildren as well as Karen's siblings Mike(Donelda), Heide, Christine(Charley) and their extended families. Her loss will also be deeply felt by her many friends and co-workers.
Karen was born in Vancouver, BC to Thea and Otto. She knew from an early age she wanted to work with children. She started her career by providing care for physically and developmentally challenged individuals in Sunny Hill Hospital for Children and various group homes on the lower mainland. Karen earned her Early Childhood Education certification in 1997, followed by her Special Needs Educator and Infant/Toddler Educator certifications. She has provided Early Childhood Education for children and families for 25 years, the past 20 years at Growing Together Child and Parent Society here in Duncan B.C. She will always be remembered for the joy she brought to hundreds of children.
Karen was a woman of many passions. She was an avid painter and crafter. She loved music - everything from yodeling to rock. She even played the piano and harp. Her gardens brought her peace as she spent hours surrounding her home with beautiful colors and scents. She loved to travel - having managed to touch every Canadian coast from here to PEI to the North West Territories. She has explored countries such as England, Germany, and Australia to name a few. Combine this with her passion for swimming, she has plunged into 4 different oceans plus too many lakes and rivers to count!
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our wonderful mother and wife - a woman that brought so much love and care to everyone around her. We'll never forget her big heart, her German Apple cheesecake, but most of all, her warm hugs!
Karen is now at a special place in this Universe and we will always be watching her dance around the Big Dipper
The family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Thomson, Dr. Pullan, Dr. Masuda, Dr. Adzich and all the staff for their special care. The Duncan Hospice and Palliative Care team along with the Nurses and Care Aids at Duncan VIHA were also spectacular and made a very difficult time a little bit easier.
As per Karen's wishes, a private family cremation has been held.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to Cowichan Hospice House at 3122 Gibbins Road, Duncan, BC, V9L 1G2 Ph: 250-701-4242 or through https://cowichanhospice.org/cowichanhospicehouse.