Karen Lee Grant Jarvis

Karen Lee Jarvis passed away at home on August 24, 2017 surrounded by her family following a gallant 17- month battle against glioblastoma. Karen was welcomed into this world on July 1, 1954 at Providence Hospital in Seattle by her loving parents,June Dorothy (Crawford) and Richard E. Grant, MD.

Karen was the second of four children growing up in a loving and laugh filled household.  Her early years were in Seattle, Auburn, and Granada Hills, California, before settling into the family home on Hicks Lake in Lacey. As Karen grew, so did Lacey, and while living in the same house she attended Lydia Hawk Elementary, Lakes Elementary, Chinook Junior High, Nisqually Junior High, North Thurston High School and was in the first graduating class of Timberline High School. She attended Central Washington College and then began what was to be a very long, rewarding and successful career with the State of Washington.

Karen met (James) Scott Jarvis in the summer of 1981. They became life-long partners and the love of each other’s lives immediately and married on August 23, 1986.  In July 1991, they welcomed their pride and joy, daughter Courtney June-Maria.

Karen worked for more than 42 years with the Department of Licensing, primarily in the Real Estate division.  It did not take long for her to become a knowledgeable and trusted member of the team. She was passionate about protecting the public! Many members of that team were like members of Karen’s family and provided great support to Karen, Scott and Courtney over the years, and particularly in the last year of her life.

Karen loved family time above all else. For her, life was a big party. There was no social event or gathering that Karen could not improve upon. Her laugh was loud and infectious, and not one to be forgotten, and she was known for having the kindest and warmest of hearts. She never met a stranger and her life goal seemed to be to make anyone who she interacted with to feel better about themselves as they parted ways.

Karen’s other passions included shopping with Courtney, lounging on their deck or by the shore of their piece of heaven on Earth on Hicks Lake, vacationing anywhere with sun, sand & bar-service, cooking, and Christmas.

Karen will be remembered most not for how she died, but for how she lived-her sense of humor, zest for life, caring nature, faith, love of family, her incredible courage in the face of adversity, and for her one of a kind infectious laugh (her laugh was so special it bears repeating here) that brought a smile to all within the sound of her voice.

Karen endured her illness with extraordinary silent courage, rarely if ever complaining, grateful to all who cared for her, including her wonderful long time family physician, Dr. Eric Klein, and his entire office team, the talented and compassionate medical professionals at Swedish Cherry Hill Ivy Center, led by Drs. Jerome Graber and Charles Cobbs, Vinh and the ProActive Sports PT wizards, her many friends and coworkers, and particularly her family, who were by her side throughout her illness.

Karen is survived by her husband Scott, daughter Courtney, mother June, sisters Linda (Steve Boruchowitz) and Pam (Jim) Shirrell, brother Randy (Cheryl), nephews Jimmy Shirrell, Grant Boruchowitz, nieces Emily, Kelsey and Claire Grant, Kim Jacobson, Rob Dyer and several aunts and many cousins.

If you would like to remember Karen by a memorial, please send it to Swedish Medical Center Foundation Ivy Center.  Donations can be made on the website https://community.swedish.org/donate, over the phone (206) 386-2738, or via check mailed to:

Swedish Medical Center Foundation Ivy Center

747 Broadway

Seattle, WA 98122

Please write Karen’s name (Karen Lee Jarvis) in the memo line.