SKINNER, Karen- New Glasgow, NS

It is with profound sadness that we announce that Karen Adele (Horton) Skinner, of New Glasgow, NS, passed away on March 1, 2024, with family by her side.

Karen was born on September 22, 1961, at the Aberdeen Hospital, the seventh child of deeply beloved parents, the late Henry and Rosalie (Campbell) Horton.

Growing up in New Glasgow, Karen was a devoted beach lover and spent many summer afternoons at the Merb, working on that glowing tan. After high school Karen joined her sister Cynthia out in Yellowknife, where she worked as a teller at Scotiabank. Later, she moved to Calgary, studied Travel & Tourism at SAIT, and began her professional career as a travel agent, working for American Express Travel.

Eventually, the call of home brought her back to Nova Scotia, and after living in Halifax for a time, Karen settled in New Glasgow and worked for 20+ years at Fraser & Hoyt. She was a highly-respected travel agent with a loyal roster of clients, many of whom became close friends.

Karen truly loved her career, because her great joy was travelling. Few people could match her stories of adventure - from a Yellowknife-to-Mexico road trip, to visiting sister Patricia in Saint Martin, to sojourns in Hong Kong, India, Europe and more. Karen was a true globetrotter, and revelled in recounting stories of her varied expeditions. This passion was shared by her husband, Bruce, and together they made incredible memories through travel, with the Caribbean as their favourite destination. Some particularly fond memories are their many vacations in Jamaica and Cuba, as well as a Disney cruise with son, Rowan, and trip to Texas with stepson, Edison.

Family was at the absolute heart of all that she did. With seven siblings, the Horton household was always full of people and Karen was famous for her big open heart; no one in the family had a friend or partner who wasn’t enthusiastically welcomed by Karen. She treasured big family get-togethers, and loved a great meal. She was a fierce friend, and Darlene, Nancy, Brenda and Matthew are friends that became family. Karen’s pride and joy was her son, Rowan, who has inherited his mother’s love of laughter, and hot sunny days.

Karen will be remembered as a loving mother, sister, aunt, and friend. She had an incredible laugh, was a teller of oft-repeated jokes, a loyal friend, and someone who was endlessly curious about the world.

Left to miss and mourn her loss are husband, Bruce; son Rowan (Enez), stepson Edison; sisters Lee (Vic), Catherine, Patricia, brothers Ken (Joanne), James (Susan), John (Cynthia), brothers-in-law Bob (Anna), Peter (Cindy), sister-in-law Lila (Allan); nieces Nicole (John), Jennifer (Paul), Angela (Craig), Megan (Russell), Rachel, Willow, nephews Mark (Dyane), Craig (Joanne), Jason (Susan), Brad, Andy (Olivia), Mike (Jenny), Andrew, Michael (Kacey), Nick (Diana), Richard, Riley, Johnny, Jeffrey, Justin, mother-in-law Jean Skinner, border collie Ozzy, and many more relatives across her expansive family tree.

In addition to her parents, Karen was predeceased by her cherished sister Cynthia (Peter), brother-in-law Ray, nephew Steven, father-in-law Edison Skinner and beloved dog, Sam.

Cremation has taken place. The family will receive visitors from 12pm to 2pm Saturday March 16, 2024 at the H.W. Angus Funeral Home, New Glasgow from where a memorial service will be held at 2pm with the Rev. Dr. Joanne Neal presiding.

A reception will follow the service in the funeral home.

Burial of ashes at a later date.

Donations in memory of Karen Skinner may be made to the palliative care unit at the Aberdeen Hospital.

Karen, you are the brightest star and your sparkling light will never diminish. Shine on.

angusfuneralhomes.com