Karen Sample

— January 22, 2020

Karen Sample, 66, passed away peacefully in her home in Oak Harbor, Washington. Karen was born April 6, to Joan and Wilbur Sample in Waltham, Mass.

The middle child in a three-girl family, Karen graduated from Lake Oswego High School in 1970. Married and divorced, she gave birth to three children and decided to choose adoption.

In 1979, Karen moved from Portland, Ore., to Oak Harbor. In Oak Harbor, she worked in a nursery, enjoying the opportunities to be outside tending to plants. Later she worked evenings at the commissary on the Navy base in Oak Harbor for over 25 years. At the commissary, she is fondly remembered and will be missed.

Karen walked the beaches in all kinds of weather—loving the fresh air and wind in her face, especially with the freedom it provided her. She loved her coffee in the morning and chocolate candies. She often gave the “Whatchamacallit” chocolate bar as gifts. Easy to please, Karen enjoyed with gusto the little things that life offers us. She did an amazing job throughout her life giving so much love to others. She would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Joan Demaray Sample and Wilbur Harry Sample. She is survived by sisters Denise Demaray (Willam Tainter) and Wendy Sample and four nephews.

Karen will be honored May 17, 2020 at the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMIWalk in Portland, Ore. All are welcome to walk/donate at http://www.namiwalks.org/participant/WendyWorks.