Karen Christensen, 65, of Edmonds, Wash., passed away peacefully during the early morning hours of Saturday, June 28, 2014, in a house full of love and with her family by her side.

Her love for life, her sense of humor and her hopeful optimism inspired everyone around her. She lived each and every day to its fullest.

From her birth on Nov. 23, 1948, to her death, she nourished people around her with love, faith and friendship.

Karen is survived by the loves of her life, her two daughters, Cheryl Christensen-Willsey (Brandon) of Sedro Woolley, Wash., and Lisa Butters (John) of Whidbey Island; and her grandchildren and their families, Jason Butters, Susan Butters-Harrett (Christian) and Sara Butters.

She is also survived by her mother, Shirley Joyce (Cady) Nelson of Arlington, Wash.; her beloved sisters and brother, Lynn Freeman (Jim) of Edmonds, Nancy Coyne (Bill) of Arlington, John Nelson (DeeAnn) of Lompoc, Calif., and Susan DeVries (Terry) of Lake Oswego, Ore.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom she loved and was so proud of; and her little orange cat, “Morris B.”

A celebration of Karen’s beautiful spirit will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Edmonds United Methodist Church, 828 Casper St., Edmonds, WA, with a reception following.

Donations in Karen’s honor can be made to Hospice Northwest, www.hospicenw.org, whose nurses and patient coordinators provided compassionate and loving care and support to her and her family, or to the Skagit Valley Humane Association, http://mjhssv1.blogspot.com/p/join.html, dedicated to finding loving homes for cats and dogs.

Arrangements were under the care of Kern Funeral Home.