Karen Beth Cameron

Karen Beth (Long) Cameron went to the Lord on May 21st, 2019, in Aurora, Colorado at the age of 55, born February 6, 1964. She was the youngest of 4 girls, born, raised and lived over forty years in greater Los Angeles San Fernando Valley before migrating to Colorado. For sure--anything but the typical Valley girl. Bright, vivacious, and strong-willed best describe her fireball persona. She lived life full throttle. She smoked. She loved cognac-- sometimes a little too much. Despite such mortal vices, her immortal convictions were commendably iron clad. Without any mental reservation or doubt, she believed Jesus Christ was born and died for our sins. He rose from the dead. Our salvation is only through accepting Christ. Wherever Karen obtained a nursing job, her incredible command of medical terminology secured her position in the organization. She was the "go to" person to review medical charting for accuracy, spelling and usage. Her command of the Latin medical terminology was exceptional considering she never formally studied Latin. Her inexplicable unique language skill propelled her financial independence. She commanded and demanded and successfully secured higher pay than her peers—even those who had a more formal education. Was she really from the San Fernando Valley? "For sure".

As rapidly as she garnered success in the work place, she found love. She married Paul Arshi Sidwell in secret to help him immigrate. Even in the 80s marrying someone who was different than your family was socially un-nerving. Love is colorblind. Their union produced a terrific son, Bryce. Although their marriage ended when Bryce was very young, Paul and Karen together executed a sound family plan to raise and provide for Bryce-- without government dictating the oversight. Karen continued her nursing career with several companies and found love again. She married Bill Spain and settled in Burbank, California. After a several years of marriage to Bill, Karen and Bill divorced.

At the age of 40, and somewhat like the Beverly Hillbillies, she loaded up the truck with her possessions and moved to Parker, Colorado. A reverse pioneer immigrating from the West to the East, she sought a reset on her life. But like the pioneers of the 1880s, she disdained crowds and sought open space. Southern California was overcrowded. She yearned for less congestion. Colorado seemed like the right fit. Mountains instead of hills, no movie stars, and four seasons instead of the relentless southern California heat.

Karen honed her craft by concentrating in geriatric care. She was an LPN at Shalom Park in Aurora, Colorado, and later became the charge LPN at Park Place in Denver, Colorado. Both were upscale licensed nursing facilities. She once said she preferred employment to care for old people and disdained pediatric work. She ran from employment involving runny noses and children's whiny, high-pitched voices.

Always restless, she found love again. Using an on-line dating service, in the summer of 2006, she met her third husband, Douglas "Andy" Cameron. After several e-mail exchanges, both agreed to meet for a drink at Friday's, a local restaurant. Was this first date a replay of the movie with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in "You Got Mail"? Karen and Andy's first date was magical. Andy was mesmerized with the blonde lady with sparkly blue eyes and insatiable smile. She was equally enchanted with a tall guy whose blue eyes had an intriguing twinkle and drove a pickup truck that growled. Two years later they were married. Needless to say, Karen's love for her spouse's children played a pivotal role in rearing them, especially the youngest child.

In late September 2016, Karen was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. For two years, she successfully and dutifully received chemo therapy. During this time, the cancer was kept at bay, and the two cruised the Caribbean, thawed in Feb 2017 in Hawaii, and cruised the inland passage of Alaska. By October of 2018, the chemo therapy was no longer effective, and Karen chose to end treatment.

Karen's hobbies included gardening and art. She grew many different types of flowers, and she like to paint watercolor pictures of flowers. If she were a character in the Game of Thrones, she would be known as the Mother Who Loves Dogs, and Art. Dogs are loyal and steadfast without judgement. Her love for them was equally loyal and steadfast and without judgement.

Karen is preceded in death by her late father, JD Long. She is survived by her mother Alberta Long, her three sisters, Janis, Donna and Sally, her husband Andy, her sons Bryce, David and Chris, her daughter Theresa, three nephews, two nieces, and four grandchildren.

Wake service at 7:00 pm June 3rd, Newcomer East Metro Chapel in Aurora, CO. Funeral service at St. Bernadette in Denver, CO at 10:00 am June 4th with internment to follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 12:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society on Karen's behalf.

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