Karen George lost her battle with cancer today but she will never loose the love and respect hundreds of Active Rain members from across the country that were touched by this incredible woman have for her.
When I joined Active Rain in May of 2007 I was a lost little puppy. Karen is one of those that wrote some awesome blogs that helped me grow my presence on Google both with my Active Rain Profile and my own web site.
When Karen was too sick last summer her husband Michael wrote a page for my site in an attempt to have it climb higher with the search engine rankings. I did not expect this at all and told Michael it was not necessary. He did it anyway. Many of you don't know but even when Karen was very, very ill and could hardly sit up she would write blogs here on Active Rain in an attempt to help us with the great advice she always gave.
If you have not read Karen's blogs I highly recommend you do. 99.9% of everything she wrote was to help you and I grow our business. I read many of Karen's blogs and put the recommendations into action which is one of the main reasons I have had so much success on the web.
Karen was a giver. When Karen was well she heard of an elderly man that was confined to his home due to an illness. Karen purchased this man a notebook computer with internet access so he could communicate with his family and friends.
This is the type of life Karen lived. She was a "giver" and cared so very much about others. When she gave Karen never wanted anything in return. She took many of my calls and patiently explained things to me in layman's terms. I hope we can all learn from Karen's giving soul. If someone needs help, lets reach out to them in a loving way just like Karen did and would want all of us to do.
We lost an Angel on earth here today but the heaven's are rejoicing and having a party. Everyone throws a party when someone so special is coming to join them.
Thank you Karen for everything you did for me and for holding my hand when I didn't understand. Thank you for your incredible knowledge and your desire to help.
You will be missed and I can assure you that this world was a better place because you were part of it. I will continue to pray for Michael and will do anything to help him.
I love you Karen, Thank you for everything but most of all for your beautiful soul!
Native Idahoan and Boise Idaho Real Estate specialist serving Boise, Meridian Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell and the surrounding Treasure valley area of southwest Idaho. Specializing in residential, investment, land and commercial real estate. Search thousands of MLS listings at Boise Homes for sale and learn all about Idaho by visiting Search Idaho Homes
Karen was truly a treasure here in the rain, and I am sure even more so in her real world life. My condolences to Michael, our prayers go out for you.
George, I was very sad to hear the story of the loss of Karen. It troubles me always when I hear of those dying young. She sounds like an absolute angel. Those that give so much to me are always angels. My thoughts and prayers are with you George and Karen's family.
Truly a sad loss. Karen was always so very nice to me. I had invited her to visit me several times while I was in AZ. I wish the very best for Michael and will keep him in my prayers.
Like you George when I 1st joined AR I immediatly was attracted to Karen's work and the fact that she was so helpful to others. It is so sad to hear she lost the battle today. I am sure she has touched countless lives.
Thanks, George, for posting this. I've been waiting for the inevitable and appreciate your updates. Makes everything else seem so trivial,
Hugs to the family and to all of us who will miss her presence here in the Rain.
Hi George,
I have always admired and respected Karen George and how much she gave to the community and others. In finding that her illness had worsened I read about her battle to raise money for cancer and other good deeds. It's just difficult when you see young, talented people lost!
What a great loss and a sad day for us all!
George~It was very thoughtful of you to write about Karen and her giving nature. It's so sad when someone with such a huge heart and selfless desire to help others is taken so early in their life. We should all be thankful for each day that we can impact others. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Karen's family.
Thank you for bringing us this horrible news. Karen was so welcoming to me starting ActiveRain last year. Always generous and wanting to help.
Blessings and ((hugs)) to Michael and the family & friends who loved her!
Karen was a special woman....and I am glad she has finished with her bout with cancer. There is nothing worse than the pain that one experiences through going through the temporary "fixes," she underwent. So glad she is now with her Heavenly Father. ;-) She will be remembered as a true lady and one who shared so much of herself on Active Rain. I hope that her posts remain here...they are of true value.
Thank you everyone for your wonderful thoughts. Please continue to pray for Michael and keep him in your thoughts.
George - Karen touched many here on AR, and no doubt in her day-to-day life at home as well. I sent Michael a note yesterday to let him know I've been holding them in my thoughts and prayers, and will continue to do so. You are there, too.
Heavy hearts everywhere with this news.......
Ann
I never knew Karen George but my broker spoke often and kindly of her. We lost a good person today.
George, I am sadden by this news. I never got to meet her and appreciate the banner she did for me Welcome to all my Louisiana visitors.We spoke of the great food that we have here in New Orleans. She helps all of us with her SEQ and recommendations. I will miss her post.
Although I didn't know Karen, I heard great things about her and the way she reached out to serve others even in her own time of need. She will truly be missed. Our focus needs to be on Michael, as the ones who are left behind hurt the most. Michael, please know that many actively prayed for her healing and have prayed for you for strength in this time of loss.
I am defiinitely saddened by the news. I just read a blog by Joey writing about this site. Karen will be missed indeed. May her soul rest in peace. We love you Karen and we are going to miss you.
George, I am so sad, have been since you sent the email. I loved Karen so much and she was such a wonderful mentor to be personally and everyone who followed her on Activerain.
I have sent so many folks to her posts to read and learn. It was appropriate you wrote this, thank you.
I will pray for Gods grace to wrap his arms around Michael. She is free from pain and suffering; however she will be missed by so many and her impact on earth will continue.
George - A beautiful tribute for a beautiful woman! I remember sitting with her, Michael and her parents last year after she had surgery. They had just removed her chance of ever having babies and her mom cried. And Karen; she smiled and said............Ma, it's okay, I wasn't using them anyway. She only wanted to ease her mother's pain. She cared deeply about Michael, her family and her friends. And they loved her! What an amazing person and family!
As I sat there, I just knew she would win this battle and if sheer determination and positive mental attitude would have done it, she would be here today, teaching us everything she knows.
Karen taught, she shared, she was outspoken, funny and wicked smart. She left each of us a small piece of her and her story. If you have never read Karen's story, please do. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please share her story......She would want us to share it with every woman we know.
I know there are many new faces and people here at AR since I last wrote about Karen, so please pass along her story, in her memory........she would want us to never forget what she went through and why. http://www.fighting-breast-cancer.com/
Good-bye Karen - thank you for sharing your life.
George, thank you so much for this lovely tribute! I received your e-mail while I was on the road. Thank you for being so thoughtful! One could not ask for a better friend than you!
It is so sad to see this beautiful young woman lose her battle with cancer. She was a noble soul and so are you George!
Thank you! I am proud to call you my friend!
Thank you all and Paula, I am so jealous that you had the opportunity to meet this awesome lady. Hold on to that smile of Karen's and "Thank You" for sharing your wonderful story. Be blessed my friend.
George- I wasn't familiar with Karen, but after reading this post I visited her blog. I know nothing about her family life or the struggles she endured, but her blog sits there as a means to engage her in a conversation of sorts. That's a very powerful thing to be able to do. I hope that the folks at AR put her blog with all her comments on a disc for Michael to have. I hope and pray that the healing process that must begin now for her loved ones can be softened a bit, by revisiting her through her blog.
Karen had a heart of gold...and I personally will miss her lessons.
I do hope we can find a way to keep her ActiveRain legacy alive --as you are so right George, she was a true inspiration to all of us who knew the private battle she courageously battled.
ps- Karen we will miss you dearly,..( just incase you are logged on in your special place in heaven.)
Such a great loss and so very sad to hear this news. Karen helped us as well and although I knew how ill she was, she insisted on working with me to help me. I never felt as though I thanked her enough for her kind and generous gift of her selfless giving spirit. We will pray for her family at this time of such a great loss. She will be sorely missed by so many. Thank you Karen for your blessings to us here on earth - we all join in wishing you a wonderful journey in the here after. There must be many happy souls to meet you in Heaven! Our prayers are with Michael and the rest of Karen's family.
I was so sorry to hear about Karen today when I logged on. She will be so missed.
I did not get to interact as much as I would have liked to with Karen, but I continuously read her blogs and appreciated her lessons.
We have lost a beautiful lady.
My prayers to Michael and the family and friends of Karen George. May they find comfort in knowing that Karen made such a huge impact on the world and that she has so many unseen friends.
Like you I did not get to meet her personally but she touched my heart. You are right heaven has a new angel tonight. I can't imagine what Micheal is going through; he really needs our prayers.
Marchel - I feel bad I never flew down to meet Karen and I certainly had the opportunity. I hope and pray I will be worthy enough to meet her in her new home some day.
I am absolutely heart broken. I was so genuinely hopeful Karen would make it, even though I knew the odds were against her; I so believed in her spirit, her willingness to fight and her strength. She was an awesome lady and she has touched so many more lives than she ever knew. God bless her family. I can only begin to imagine their feeling of loss. Thank you for this wonderful tribute to a wonderful person.
I am very very sad my friend, I know that is selfish but I don't know what else to say. You know I how I felt about Karen.
My only peace is knowing she is no longer suffering
This is vry sad... but now her pain and suffering are over. We will keep her family in our thoughts Hope that A/R will keep her blogs in tact as she had a lot to offer.
I have not been blessed enough to have known this great lady, but what a legacy she has left! A legacy of passing on knowledge to people - what a gift she has given! There is no greater gift to give than her experience away to eager minds.
Sounds to me like this great lady will live on in the hearts of a lot of people. Awesome!
There are just no words to express how I feel on learning of this. I knew that Karen was struggling mightily with cancer. One always hopes for the best - someone has made another decision. My thoughts and prayers are with Michael and her family.
Jeff
I did not have the pleasure of speaking with either of them, however, my heart goes out to Michael and all those that loved her here. Thanks George for posting this beautiful tribute to Karen and all she did over here int he Rain.
-Mary
An angel indeed! I did not know her and Karen has already impacted my life - even without reading her blog. I feel such sadness. My heart and prayers are with her family and loved ones.
Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts for Karen and Michael. They are two incredible people and I know Michael will greatly appreciate your kind words and prayers.
WHAT?!!! I had no idea she was sick. Are you kidding me? Just a few weeks ago I was thinking about contacting her.....I'd sought her advice some time ago about toll-free numbers for listings and wanted to follow up. Wow, what a loss. My condolences to her husband and family. And to AR, she's certainly one of the good ones.
Tchaka - Yes, Karen had been battling cancer for some time. The reason you did not know is because she kept battling. This is the type of woman she was.
My heart is heavy with sadness. Karen was an inspiration and friend to many. I am very fortunate to have been touched by her in a small way. She is loved by many. My thoughts and condolences to her husband, family and friends.
A very nice tribute to a wonderful woman. She sure did give a lot to this community.
Cancer is such a terrible disease. It has hit my family too close and I feel right now for Karen's family because I have been there and I know the pain. I didn't know Karen very well. I joined AR in March of this year and I had subscribed to her blog ....but didn't really have the pleasure of knowing her like I wish now I could have.
My prayers are for her family now as they grieve and I pray for peace and strength that only God can give in times like these....
My prayers are with Karen and her family tonight, it's really heartbreaking to loose a part of the AR community, and especially in this manner. It was kinda numbing to get the update email on her condition that you had wrote and Brad forwarded along to us.
My family's prayers are will go out to her family tonight.
thank you much for this one, George. once among us, we've got a great spirit now way up in the sky.
best
Every life has an arc--some long and some short--it's not the length of time we stay, but rather what we leave behind. Karen's voice will be heard as long as Active Rain and search engines exist.
From all I've read and heard of heard she seemed like a very sweet giving person. Her legacy will live on forever, the angels are rejoicing, but I know it's hard on her loved ones.
George - I hope you don't mind......
I have received requests about the bank account I had set up for Karen George, from people who want to help Michael during this difficult time. The account was a beneficiary account which has been closed. I have set up a PayPal account for those who have an interest in helping Michael until he is able to get back on his feet and do loans again. He was Karen's partner in both life and work.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/657870/A-Final-Gift-for
Anyone who wants to can post the form on their own blog and spread the word.
Hello George...I feel so sad and cannot imagine how you must be feeling. Karen was one of the first I subscribed to because she just reached out and embraced us all with her words.
Having lost one of my sisters and a grandmother to breast cancer made me keenly aware of what Karen and Michael were going through. It is a tragedy when someone is so young with so much to offer.
Take care. My thoughts are with you also.
Kate
Hi George...sorry to hear about Karen, I know you were close to her and Michael, so I'm sorry for your loss of a close friend. Karen touched a lot of people here, I read her post from the time I started, she was as you say a Giver and certainly a Lady with lots of Fight,Courage and ideas for us all. She certainly will be missed by so many, even though I did notknow her personally I felt we connected, she gave me her widget and long time ago, and I'll certainly remember her every time write here and see her welcome mat...Welcome to British Columbia. Cleaver Lady!
Good Bye Karen, just for now Angel!!
George... thank you for writing this. Karen will most certainly be missed!
This is sad news to hear about Karen George, I will miss reading her posts. She was an amazing lady and you are right, there is a celebration in heaven and her pain is over. What a touching post, Karen has impacted so many people's lives.
GEORGE - When I first started on Active Rain, you were one of the first people to offer your advice. At the time, you told me that you were doing what was done for you by Karen. I immediately put out a post to try and raise money for Karen, even though she and I had never spoken directly. Your post says it better than any comment ever could. Karen was a very special person, and she should be remembered by this community for a long time to come. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
Good morning to all of you and thank you so very, very much for your thoughts and prayers for Karen and Michael.
Hello all,
I am relatively new here so I did not read Karens blog. However, from what I read about her, she was a loving and giving person. She will be missed and I am sorry that I never got to know her.
Rest in peace karen. Your soul is now at rest
Leander
Your email in the last week really disturbed me because I didn't want to hear that our "angel" was in pain. She definitely deserves more than that! Karen was an amazing woman and that is an understatement.
My condolences, thoughts and prayers to Michael and all that loved her.
George than you for taking the time to share the news with us. I will remember her in my prayers.
Good morning all of you. Thank you and have a wonderful blessed day. Please keep your thoughts and prayers on Michael.
George, What a tragic loss for Karens' family & friends & the community which she gave so much to here on AR. Roger & I prayed for Karen & her family every night. She was such a fighter, there was always that glimmer of hope that she would remain with us in spite of the diesease. sadly the day finally has come to say goodbye.
What a breath of fresh air Karen was, so down to earth and genuine, tough as nails, but so soft in heart. She will be truly missed by everyone whose lives she touched.
Michael, I hold you in my prayers, I lost my first husband to cancer. I know what you are feeling. Stay strong and please lean on us, we are here for you
Karen, Thank you for all you have done for your friends & colleagues. Your legacy will forever live on. Pray for us!
Ginger
Ginger - Thank you for such beautiful words and I am sure Michael will be so very touched when he reads them. I have a wonderful day!
George- I remember Karen's struggle last year, and didn't want to believe in the inevitable. But thank you for telling us, my heart goes out to her family.
Here some info I got off her fight cancer site to make a donation:
"All donations will go to help with Karen's medical bills / expenses"
http://www.fighting-breast-cancer.com/
I am very saddened to hear this! I guess I thought she would receive one of those miracles because she was such a strong person. So it is with shock that I read this today. I also thought she was getting better. She has been a great contributor here and has given of herself in so many ways. Thanks for putting this out, George. My heart is heavy for all her family and her husband Michael.
Karen - Thank you my friend. Karen was one of the strongest and most determined ladies I ever met. Her will to beat cancer and live was unbelievable. We are all so blessed she came into our lives.
George: Oh how sad this makes me feel. Yes, she is indeed an angel and will never be forgotten.
Dianne - So very true my friend. I will hold Karen's smile in my heart for always.
All,
I am a personal friend of Karen's and Michael's and I want to thank all of you for your kinds words on their behalf. I know if Karen could she would write each of you a personal note thanking you profusely. I shouldn't be but I am so amazed by how many people she touched.
Thanks again!
Colin - How nice of you to stop by and I am so envious that you are Karen and Michael's personal friend. Of all the people on Active Rain I really wanted to meet Karen and Michael. Please give Michael my sincere condolences and tell him I will always have him in my thoughts and prayers. Have a great evening and thank you again.
I sorry to hear about the loss of what sounds like an amazing woman. I am keeping her family in my prayers as they struggle through this difficult time.
Anita - Thank you. The legacy that Karen left will live in many, many hearts for years to come.
Just thinking about Karen today. She is missed. :(
Tina in Virginia
Tina - Thank you. I think about Karen almost daily and I will never forget her.
just thinking about our friend............ :( I hope Michael is doing okay...
Desiree - I haven't spoken to him. Thought I would give him some time. I hope all is well in your world and thanks for your kind thoughts.
George, He has been in my thoughts and prayers also. Please let me know how he is doing once you talk to him. When I was visiting my daughter in New York City we saw a Pink Fire truck down in times square going around the country promoting awareness for breast cancer. It of course made me think of Karen. Once my daughter gets her pictures to me I will write a post about it.
Marchel - I will sure let you know my friend.
Wow...what a special Friend she was !
Patty - Karen was an unselfish Angel on earth and will never be forgotten. Thanks for your comment.
George, your comments about Karen are right on. She and her husband Michael are amazing people. I worked with them for about 6.5 yrs while employed at a lenders office in Scottsdale, AZ as they were one of our brokers. I always, always enjoyed working with them. It was such a pleasure to receive their files and help them close the deal. During that time is when Karen started her battle with breast cancer, and you would have never known it. She was always upbeat and had an amazing outlook. I had lost contact with Karen and Michael for a short time when I changed companies but eventually got back in contact with Karen when a friend had given me info from the Real Estate Guy's page. I contacted Karen and we'd correspond back and forth. It had been a while since I'd heard from her so I just figured she was very busy with all that she was working on. I was delighted one day to see her name in my email inbox, however that changed when I opened it to find a short message from Michael letting me know he had seen my correspondence and wanted to let me know of her passing. How sad I was to read that. It's sad that such a young, vibrant, talented, knowledgable, the list goes on, person was taken when she was. Karen lives on in my heart and memories and my thoughts and prayers go out to Michael, her family and all others that she has touched. Thank you for letting me have this opportunity to comment.
Hi George.
Thanks to your blog post about Karen George, I spent a large portion of the day yesterday reading her breast cancer blog as well as many of her blog posts here. What a lady! I'm sorry I wasn't a more active member here while she was still alive. She lives on in her posts, though, and I plan to refer back to all of her work here to guide me along. I have already directed several friends to her breast cancer blog. Thanks again!
Leslie - You are very welcome and I am glad you read many of her posts. She was one awesome and very intelligent lady that I will never, ever forget. Have a great evening and week ahead.
I never knew Karen, but just by reading this post I can tell she was a special individual. It seems as though she has touched a lot of people's lives, and for that, hopefully her giving and advice will continue to spread throughout the AR community.
Troy - Sorry you didn't get to know Karen because she was simply one of the truly special ladies of this world. Read her blogs and you will quickly find out she was a "Giver" which is very rare in this world.