Born and raised in Oregon, Karen moved to sunny Orange County in 1985. She worked for the next 15 years for a major accounting firm as an executive assistant to the managing partner. The following 5 years took her to a position of bookkeeper for an O.C. based restaurant, at which time she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
At the urging of her diagnosing neurologist, Karen immediately became active in a support group and shortly thereafter got involved with the Chapter, soon becoming a member of the Board of Directors. Her commitment to the Parkinson’s community expanded as she became the leader of the local Irvine group and volunteered at the many countywide health fairs. Karen felt so strongly that her source of support and knowledge came from the Chapter sponsored support network, that she became even more dedicated to the cause by helping others receive the information and services they might need.
As a mother of 5, grandmother of 8, and great-grandmother of 4, Karen loves spending time with family close by and keeping in touch with those that are not local, via “Face Book”. When she is not volunteering for the Parkinson’s activities she enjoys knitting, crocheting and getting together with friends for a movie. Karen and her daughter currently live in Irvine. No cats, no dogs … but lots of yarn!