Karen Louise Abbott

Abbott, Karen Louise

Passed away Sunday, August 8, 2021 surrounded by family after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Karen was born November 4, 1952 to Thomas I. Clark, Jr. and Dorothea ("Dot") Clark. She was preceded in death by her father. Karen is survived by her mother, Dot, her husband Bill, sisters Diane (Allan) Knapp, Jan Devendorf, Kathy Levy, Monica (Rod) Roethlisberger and brother Phil (Sally) Clark. She is also survived by three step-children Ashley (Aaron) Skrocki, Sarah (Tom) Gannon and Jared Abbott, eight nieces and nephews Linnea Knapp, Jesse Knapp, Lauren Devendorf, Matt Devendorf, Katie Clark, Kevin Clark, Connor Clark and Andrea Roethlisberger, and five step-grandchildren, Eve and Andreas Skrocki, and Nolan, Leo and Maeve Gannon.

Karen was a 1970 graduate of Lumen Christi and graduated from Western Michigan with degrees in physical education and business, and from Eastern Michigan with a Masters Degree in Education. Karen taught physical education and accounting for 32 years at Hanover-Horton High School where she coached volleyball, basketball, and track. She also was a strong believer in Title IX and instituted personal fitness classes for female students. As a varsity volleyball coach for 21 years, Karen's teams won three Class C State Championships (1987, 1989 and 1991) and she was a varsity assistant coach for two additional state championship teams. She was also named Coach of the Year by the Michigan Volleyball Coaches Association three times. Karen was a co-founder of the Jackson Area Volleyball Association where she coached hundreds of area girls from many schools for 15 years.

Karen was an avid golfer with dozens of golfing "buddies". She belonged to two leagues, one being the Hanover-Horton Teachers League for more than forty years. Karen was also a two-time senior women's Club Champion. Karen was a world traveler, visiting all 7 continents and more than 100 countries. She also climbed Africa's tallest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro. Karen was a positive and encouraging role model for her students. She always had a smile on her face and was a good friend to everyone who knew her, including dozens of friends she made around the world in her travels. She cannot be replaced, but she will be remembered by everyone whose life she touched.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, August 13, 2021 at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Church, 1111 Carlton Blvd, Jackson, Michigan at 10:30 AM with Father Timothy MacDonald officiating. Interment will be held at St. John's Catholic Cemetery at 2:30 PM.

The family will receive friends, family and visitors on Thursday, August 12 at the Desnoyer Funeral Home, 204 N. Blackstone Street, Jackson, Michigan from 4:00 to 7:00 PM and at Queen's Church on Friday from 10:00 to 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the AWARE Shelter, Cascades Humane Society, or the Susan G. Komen Cancer Center.

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family owned for 131 years