Obituary of Karen Anne McMillan

(nee Soehner)

To view the recording of the memorial service, please CLICK HERE

Karen, 79, of Waterloo, ON, passed away peacefully at home on February 5, 2022, five years after being officially diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a degenerative neurological disorder. She was born to the late Harold and Gertrude (neé Hemmerich) Soehner on July 10, 1942 in Elmira, ON, where she lived until graduating high school. After receiving her nursing diploma from Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital School of Nursing in 1964, her career as an RN began in Victoria, BC.  After her marriage to Gary (June 25, 1966) and birth of their eldest child, the young family moved back to ON, where Karen continued nursing at K-W/Grand River Hospital, until her retirement in December, 2005. Karen reveled in her vocation (the newborns most of all), gardening, reading, shopping, travel, sports, knitting, and having a good laugh. She loved unconditionally and consistently, worked hard, and was a quiet leader. Karen never allowed her disease to define her. Throughout, she lived with grace, dignity, good humour, and without complaint, and died as she lived.

Her absence will be deeply felt by her husband of 55 years, Gary, who cared for her to the end, and her four children, Michael (Carolyn), Susan, Kristen (Gordon) and Andrew (Zoe). She loved being Grandma to Jacquelyn, Braden, Audrey, Julia, Isabelle and Pixel. Predeceased by her sole sibling, Bruce, and his first wife, Audrey.  Karen is fondly remembered by her good friends, Rosemary and Penny, and many former fellow nurses. 

Much gratitude to the angels amongst us: care coordinator Valerie, every PSW that spent time with Mom, particularly Tina from the beginning, Barb B and Jinny in the middle, and Luul and Jaspreet K at the end, the palliative nursing team, especially Barb S, NP Eimear, and the many other specialists who had a hand in Mom’s care.

You are welcome to join us in honouring Karen at a memorial service for 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022 at First Baptist Church, 306 Erb Street West, Waterloo. This will follow a private family interment. To attend the memorial service, please wear a facial covering, observe physical distancing, and register (RSVP) by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Registered Nurses Foundation of Ontario or to First Baptist Church by contacting the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445. 

We are grateful to Mom for her quiet, humble strength, and for loving us consistently.  We are so proud to be her kids, and she lives on in us.