KAREN MADER

Karen Anita Mader (née Ripley) was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She led a life full of joy, enthusiasm, and endless positivity. She left this world too soon on December 30, 2022 at age 78, after 2 weeks in palliative care surrounded by her husband Dennis and her four children, Robert, Michelle (Travis), Michael, and Marianne (Andy). They will honour her legacy by continuing to see the positive in life. She will be forever missed by her siblings Doug (Sue), Mary Ellen (Al), Joyce (Glenn), and her Aunt Marguerite, Dennis’ sisters Colleen (Chris) and Betty Ann, six loving grandchildren - Ella, Morgan, Rory, Zhen, Téa, and Bailey, 16 nieces and nephews, and 12 great nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Gertrude (née Loosemore) and Eugene Ripley, and siblings Jeanne, Clifford, Robert, Roberta, and Brenda.

 

Karen grew up in a small farming town in southern Ontario. She brought a joyful spirit to all activities she participated in. As kids, their favourite game on a rainy day was to put on their bathing suits and splash in the puddles and run in the rain, something she’d still do with her grandkids! In school, she was a member of the basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, and track & field teams. 

 

After high school, Karen completed a nursing degree at the Nightingale School of Nursing. Soon after she met the love of her life working at a summer camp in Quebec - she was 23 years old and he was 24. Karen and Dennis were together for 55 wonderful years. In Karen’s own words: “When we were first married we both thought we were too young and didn’t know enough to have children. But, the wonderful thing about being young, is that you “grow up with” your children and they teach you as much as you teach them.”

 

Always up for adventure - from a 5-week honeymoon with Dennis driving across Canada and the USA in their Volkswagen beetle, to later doing a similar coast-to-coast 5-week trip with their family of 6 packed into a station wagon (kids ages 10, 10, 13, 15!). There were frequent trips to Spondo, their camp behind Mahone Bay, and many special adventures including paragliding in the Swiss alps at age 63 and a 2-week silent meditation course in Thailand. Yes, Karen lived life to the fullest. 

 

Karen’s enthusiasm for life and infinite energy extended into her career, her friendships, and her innumerable hobbies. She was a life-long learner having completed her Master's degree at Mount Saint Vincent University while helping to rear four young children, garnering a tourism certificate after she retired from nursing, taking numerous courses through PEI's Seniors College, and most recently she had a streak of 624 days learning French with her sister Mary Ellen on Duolingo!

 

As a nurse, a manager, and eventually as the Director of Nursing at Dartmouth General Hospital in Nova Scotia, she brought out the best in staff members. Colleagues remember her as a great nurse and a kind and empathetic manager. Her approach to life was to listen with kindness, laugh with abandon and share generously always.  She always made time for people to listen, to help, and to share in life’s joys and sorrows. 

 

Karen has touched countless lives over the course of her life and the resulting ripple effects are extraordinary. Ever active in her community, she volunteered for her kids’ activities when they were young, served as a Ladies' President at Brightwood Golf Course in Dartmouth, NS, and participated in numerous clubs and organisations over her life ranging from nature and gardening orgs, sewing groups, ukulele circles, book clubs, and a wonderful Friendship group in PEI.

 

For most of her married life, Karen lived near the ocean in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. She was drawn to the ocean scenery. She loved to feel the sand between her toes, to smell the ocean breezes, and to hear the tumbling waves lap against the shore. 

 

“I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide, 

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied”

~ from Karen’s favourite poem "Sea Fever " by John Masefield.

 

A joyful Celebration of Life will be held for Karen from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at the Assumption Hall, 145 Stratford Road, Stratford, PE. All are welcome. Planned remarks to begin at 12pm. Casual lunch will be served buffet-style. Bring your laughter, fond memories, and wear your dancing shoes! 

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Nature PEI of which Karen was a member https://naturepei.ca/donate, to honour her love of nature and conservation.

 

Final note: Our family is forever grateful for the incredible care she received from the neurological ICU unit and from the entire palliative care team at The Moncton Hospital. At a time when many medical staff are working overtime, they took the time to lovingly care for Karen and for all of us.