"Karen represented kindness and grace and will live in our hearts always. Bill Batte Her classmate at York High and Elmhurst College"
In loving memory of
Karen Clark Mcconachie
Karen was born in Elmhurst, Illinois on October 31, 1941. She passed away on September 28, 2016 surrounded by her family after suffering an aneurysm while riding her beloved horse. She was loved very much and will long be remembered as The World's Greatest Grammy, Mother, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Friend and Mentor. Karen was an accomplished woman with many interests. She graduated with a BA from Elmhurst College and started her long and illustrious banking and trust career in St. Louis, Missouri. It ultimately brought her to Harris Trust Bank in Sun City, Arizona, 30 years ago via Olympia, Washington. What made her an exceptional trust executive was her genuine caring, compassion and concern for all of her clients and their personal well-being. Karen was athletic, poised and talented in so many ways. She was a cheerleader in her youth and a lifelong pianist, painter and equestrian, receiving numerous accolades and awards in all of these activities. Community involvement and volunteerism were important to her throughout her life-most recently she served with the Kiwanis, the Sun Health Foundation Board, the Fiesta Bowl Hospitality Committee and the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Last but by no means least, she was the "hostess with the mostest" and loved to entertain and cook for her family and friends-a lot. Karen's most prized roles, however, were those of mother to two daughters, Dawn and Stacey, and wife of 25 years to David. Survivors include her husband, David McConachie, daughters Dawn (Craig) McSavaney of Boulder, Colorado and Stacey (Matthias) Wolf of Phoenix, and stepsons Paul McConachie and Kevin (Heather) McConachie of Holyoke, Colorado. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren Jordan, Paige, Heidi, Abby, Kyrah, Piper and Kree, her sister Dawn (Skip) Corley of Phoenix and mother-in-law Bettie McConachie. A celebration of her remarkable life and beautiful spirit will be held at a later date. Contributions (in lieu of flowers, please) should be made to Horses Help!, an accredited non-profit that provides equine assisted activities and therapies in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Family and friends are invited to visit www.hansenmortuary.com to share memories. And, don't forget, Karen would want you to cast your vote on November 8th!
Tributes
"Karen's death has left a hole in my heart. We were roommates at Elmhurst in 1962-63. She was a senior, and I was a lowly freshman even though we were only one year apart in age. She treated me as an equal and we had a wonderful year together. So much so that in 1972 we became partners together (with others) in Old Enterprise Farms, an apple orchard in O'Fallon, Illinois, (metro-St. Louis) where we spent about 9 years living as neighbors on that farm. In fact, Karen taught me how to make shrimp tempura and I was the one raised on the Miss. Gulf Coast where shrimp is king. We kept in contact after that mainly through our daughters, Stacie and Jackie who were and are best friends, always calling each other on Christmas day, vacationing together and being in each other's weddings. Karen was there for me when my husband died last year and I am so thankful for the quality time we spent together since that time, including the week after Christmas last year. I loved Karen and miss her. I pray God will bless her family and give them some peace in the knowledge that she loved all of them and knew how much they loved her."
"I'm sending much love to your family and am saddened by Karen's passing. She was a dear friend to my mother and such a comfort when my mom passed. Take care, Kim"
"Karen will be fondly remembered as a "first-class" lady - because of her positive attitude, her compassion, actions, words and appearance. We met decades ago when she was a member of the Sun Health Foundation Board of Trustees, and I personally got to know her better when she became a member of the Foundation's Annual Giving Committee. Based upon my respect for Karen, I placed the majority of my finances at Harris Bank. And I got to know Karen's wonderful daughter, Stacey, when she joined the Foundation's staff. My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to David, Stacey and the remainder of the family."
"My heartfelt sympathy to David, Karen's girls, grandchildren and family. I've known Karen since we were in 7th grade and all of our years at York. Last time I saw her was a few years ago when we had one of our 1959 class reunions in Phoenix. She was a beautiful person and now she is with our Lord. Blessings and comfort to all of her loved ones in your time of sorrow. Sue (Woods) Cioper-Peiers"
"To Karen's family members, I had the extreme pleasure of knowing Karen during our Junior High and High school years in Elmhurst. She was a true one of a kind, always giving of her time and ready to comfort others. Her spirit will live on for all those who knew her. I pass on my blessings and sympathy to all who loved her. Karen Schmidt Burnette"
"I was shocked to hear of Karen's untimely passing. I first met her when she took her mother to Westerners meetings. She and I here both active in the Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce and shared some good times. She was always a special lady and friend and will be missed by all who knew her. My thoughts and prayers are with Dave and her daughters."
"My deepest sympathy to Karen's husband, family, and Arizona "59 York High grads who got to spend quality time with Karen these past years. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Marilyn Straub Garazin"
"Karen and I had many good times in Elmhurst . As so often happens with high school friends, we drifted apart, but I am so glad I got to share grade school and high school years with her. I am so sad and send my condolences to all her family."
"Sincere condolences to all of Karen's family. Karen and I shared our high school years in Elmhurst and had a delightful "reunion" last year in Phoenix with York friends. She was indeed a remarkable person. Her obituary is a beautiful description of her."
"Karen we remember you fondly and are sure You have help make this country a better place than it was when you entered it Our sympathy to your your family. Fondly. Karen Hahn Van Hoose and Gerald Van Hoose"
"Karen was always one of my favorite people and apparently a favorite of many as she was York Homecoming Queen in 1959 in a class of many special girls. We grew up about two blocks apart and went to Hawthorne School together. To the delight of many, she had an unusual pet, a skunk. My sincere condolences to her family and friends. I'm sure she will be missed terribly. Carolyn "Sue" Wilken Donels, Springfield, Illinois"
"Karen and I were close friends in high school but drifted as time passed. I remember at her house in Elmhursr her pet skunk "sweet pee" hide under her bed and we tried for quite awhile to get it out. She was lovely and charming then and appears she remained that way. Sorry for your loss Leslie Lynne Brown Mendenhall Fredericksburg. Va"
"So very sorry to hear about Karen. A beautiful person."
"Another loss for the YORK Great Class of '59. My condolences to her family. I lost my husband Evan in the class of '57 last year after 50 years of marriage."
"David...Cobe and I send our deepest condolences to you, your family and Karen's family. As you are aware, Karen and I worked together while the Sun City office reported to me...long ago! She was a real pro...competent and a delight to be with. Her clients loved her as we did. Her smile was very sincere and her work ethic was outstanding. We do wish you peace and happiness in the days ahead. Please know that Cobe and I feel we are better for having known your beautiful wife professionally and socially during those years with Harris Trust."
"Dave, Dawn, Stacey, Dawn and your families - we are just heartbroken to have lost Karen. She would have loved what you said about her...she was also York's Homecoming Queen one year. She was kind, regal, sweet and sometimes shy. I go back to 2nd grade with Karen...I remember slumber parties, marching with her in the Elmhurst Memorial Day parade as Bluebirds...and so many memories up till now. Every year around our birthdays [born a week apart], Karen, Susanne and I did a "girls only" celebration...and this year will be so difficult. But Heaven needed an outstanding Angel so Karen was called in earlier than expected. She'll always live on in our hearts...and Dave, you know we'll be there for you as you face a new life. Everyone who ever met Karen was enriched by her. With love, Al and Jean Batson"
"Such a wonderful woman. May his peace find it's way into your hearts."