Karen Theresa Watters

WATTERS, Karen Theresa

June 2, 1942 - June 2, 2022

On Thursday, June 2, 2022, Karen Theresa Watters “nee Campbell” passed away peacefully at the Innisfail Health Care Centre on her 80th birthday.

Karen was born in Rocky Mountain House to Roderick & Katherine Campbell. At 14, Karen met Malachy ‘Mel’ Watters at a dance and later told her friend that ‘he is the man I am going to marry’ and a short three years later they did marry on April 4, 1959. They were blessed with four children, Shelley in 1959, Marlon in 1960, Kelly in 1961 & Dennis in 1963.

A devoted wife and homemaker, Karen travelled by Mel’s side for work in the construction industry all over, including the Northwest Territories and even for a stint in California but Alberta was always home for them and their children. Karen could often be found in the kitchen cooking up a storm for all of the men in camp jobs, at home in her own kitchen baking bread, pies or tarts or in the stands at the local hockey rinks watching all of her kids play. She was a cook, a crafter, a Scrabble champ and an amazing mom and wife. As her children grew, so did her family and she took on the best role, a Grandma. Karen adored all of her grandchildren and she and Mel spent as much time with them as possible. Karen taught them her craft of baking; bread, pie pastry, cookies, buttertarts, taught them how to play crib and would even whoop their butts at Scrabble from time to time. Their children and grandchildren were incredibly important to them both and being a part of their lives was something that they were passionate about.

In 1982, Karen and Mel settled in Calgary as he took a position as a union representative for the Operating Engineers Local 955 and they put down some roots until Mel’s retirement in 1994 when they purchased a small acreage in the Spruce View area. These years were filled with family and friends, Sunday morning breakfasts, travelling to surrounding towns for the paper and of course, time spent together. After Mel’s passing in 2012, Karen relocated to Innisfail where she spent her remaining time. She could always be found at the kitchen table with the coffee on waiting for her next visitor, doing crossword puzzles

or a word search, knitting and of course watching her beloved Edmonton Oilers.

Karen will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Shelley (Brian) Walker; son, Dennis (Jeanette); and adored by her grandchildren, Brad (Summer) Walker, Laurie (Connor) Prendergast, Amanda (Sam) Watters, Kristal (Chris) Watters & Tanya (Will) Vallee; and her great grandchildren, Malachi, Isaiah, Mason, Reid, Nevaeh, Emery, Amiyah, Bennett & Josiah. Also, her sweet pup Roddy.

Karen was predeceased by her husband, Mel; sons, Marlon in 1960 and Kelly in 2021; brother, Gary Campbell; sister Jo-Anne Delaney; and parents, Rod Campbell & Katherine Moore.

We are all left with a hole in our hearts but find comfort knowing that she has joined the love of her life and her very missed family.

As per Karen’s request, there will be no service.

If desired, memorial donations in Karen’s honor may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5.