Karen Theresa Mckim

Karen Theresa McKim passed away January 3, 2021 after a sudden decline in health. She was born March 4, 1944 in Washington DC to Laurence and Marguerite (Stockton) Shea. She is survived by her brother, Michael Shea, and sister, Rita Miura; two daughters Valerie Mathews and Tanya McKim and two grandchildren Savannah and Brayden Shillam. Predeceased by her twin brother, Kevin Shea.

Due to her father’s international government position, she spent her youth growing up in Maryland, Idaho, Morocco and Egypt. She graduated from Chevy Chase High School, Maryland in 1962 and attended the Washington School for Secretaries in Washington DC in 1963.

She began working for Boeing as a Secretary in 1963 in Washington DC. She transferred within Boeing to Seattle, Washington in 1965. In Seattle, she met and married Richard in 1967 with whom they gave life to Valerie in 1973 and Tanya in 1975. Although no one wishes a marriage to dissolve, the marriage ended in 1984.

She had a very successful 30 year career with Boeing with only two short intermissions; in 1973-80 to raise her daughters before they began school and 1993-95 to begin a business venture in Moses Lake, WA before returning to Boeing. She retired from Boeing in 2002 after a career where she excelled within the company and was known by many as the “Velvet Hammer” because she made sure things got done…but with a velvet touch.

She retired in Florida with Jim who was her partner from 1997-2011 until Jim passed away. After a lifetime in Washington, Florida was a wonderful place to soak up the sun, kayak, watch wildlife and avoid alligators. They returned each summer to Washington (when the sun comes back) to spend time with her children, grandchildren, family and friends. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and eventually had to reluctantly return to Washington full time where there was more family support available in 2015. In July 2016, she suffered a debilitating stroke which left her struggling with comprehension and finding the correct words to communicate. A difficult challenge for someone who had focused on communication and details her entire life. The recent, sudden decline that resulted in her passing is a mixed blessing and loved ones are grateful that she is now at peace with Jesus and is likely chattering away with the ability to find all the right words now!

She will be remembered by her daughters as a mother with unending love for us; we were well aware of her willingness to sacrifice her own peace to make sure we were provided for and loved beyond measure. She will be remembered by her daughters and grandchildren as our ultimate cheerleader. She believed that we could each accomplish whatever we put our minds to, even if she was nervous about what that might be! A beloved friend to many who will miss her laughter and smile. Until we meet in eternity…..may God bless and keep you!

GOD’S GARDEN

God looked down around His garden

And found an empty place.

He then looked down upon the earth

And saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you,

And lifted you to rest.

God’s garden must be beautiful,

He only takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering

He knew that you were distraught

He knew that you would never

Get well on earth again.

He saw the road getting rough

And the hills were hard to climb.

So He closed your weary eyelids.

And whispered, “Peace be thine”

It broke our hearts to lose you

But you didn’t go alone.

Part of us went with you

The day God took you home.

If tears could build a stairway

And heartaches make a lane,

We’d walk a path to heaven

To be with you again.

Author Unknown

Due to Covid concerns we decided to honor her life with a video memorial which can be seen at https://animoto.com/play/4zVH3UVJ1o8z0zD1q3falw?autostart=1

Please feel free to pay your last respects. Her ashes have been placed in a columbarium at:

Woodbine Cemetery

2323 9th St SW

Puyallup, WA 98373

Inside Woodbine, follow the road to the crest of the hill where there are 3 columbarium (wall) structures to the right. If you are facing the columbarium walls, her placement is in the front of the right wall.