Monday, September 01, 2008

R.I.P. Karen Ffolkes

A colleague of mine died on Saturday. She was too young, and much too nice, to die so young. Cancer took her.

Karen supplied me with a steady stream of talented IT professionals. She was good at her job. I would not work with anybody else.

Karen was also kind enough to take an interest in me. She went beyond the normal business only relationship by showing an active interest in me and my team of loveable misfits. Plus, she bought lunch on occasion. We would meet at the Yard House from time-to-time. It was always fun. You see, I liked Karen, because... she was kind enough to like me first.

Cancer is vicious. Several people I know, including my own stepfather and uncle, are struggling with the disease. When I learned of Karen's passing, I swore aloud. My thoughts turned to the plight of my friends and family's battle with cancer, and then again to the injustice of somebody so young and full of life succumbing to the disease. I was truly sad. If I were not with my family in a public place, I would have broke down and cried. Because I know the truth. Death is the end of the story.

Technorati tags: , ,

Comments (38)

Loading... Logging you in...
  • Logged in as
Karen Ffolkes was a beautiful person both inside and out. She was married to my best friend Jeff. I will never forget the first time that I met her with that infectious smile. She was very charming with a warm personality. I knew that Jeff had found his perfect mate. She is now an Angel in Heaven smiling down on all of us waiting for the day that we can all see each other again. R.I.P. Karen we all miss you and love you and thank the Lord that he loaned you to us for such a short time.
1 reply · active 867 weeks ago
I am so sorry for your loss of a friend.
GentlePath's avatar

GentlePath · 867 weeks ago

My condolences.
Sorry to read about the loss of your friend.

Carolyn Ann
{{{{{hug}}}}}
Mojoey,
so sorry. Good friends are hard to find, and even harder to lose.
Anonymous's avatar

Anonymous · 867 weeks ago

What a Dear person Karen was-
I can't believe she is no longer with us.......My heart goes out to you Jeff....at least she met her prince and had her fairytale wedding.....I had no idea how bad her sickness had gotten and regret not contacting her............At least I had the pleasure of working with her and getting to know her.....she was always a warm and sweet person.....she will be missed and the world will not be the same without her..
Matt Rauch's avatar

Matt Rauch · 867 weeks ago

Dear Karen,

It was so great working next to you and getting to know you so well. From the day you started working at our company, you brought energy, an infectious smile, and, of course, a sense of fashion! Your passion for life was immense. I enjoyed all of the laughs and good times we had. You will be missed; you made the world around you a better place, and will continue to do so as your spirit lives on through those that knew you.
My dearest friend, Karen

You have touch so many lives and mine especially with your kindness, humor, "Keep it real" attitude, love of God and your overall spirit. I loved how you always lit of the room when you walked in!

I still crack up thinking about Cabo. You strutting "your stuff" in your high fashion, matching lime green bikini with matching cover up, cowboy hat and laced 3 inch heels! We had such a good time hanging with both you and Jeff! I will always treasure those moments.

I will think of you daily in my memories and in my heart! You are a true friend and I will miss you dearly.

With much love,

Dana XOXOXOXOX
Thanks for posting everyone. I'll keep this post up as a memorial to Karen. And thanks to my fellow bloggers for your kind words.

One time I mentioned to Karen that I like beer. She mentioned Red Stripe. I had never tried it. She brought me a case and delivered it to me at work. The guard "Mac" gave her a hard time and tried confiscate it. I arrive to snag my gift from the hands of our over zealous guard. I've been drinking Red Stripe ever since. In fact, I was drinking a bottle the night I wrote this post.
Erica Ffolkes's avatar

Erica Ffolkes · 867 weeks ago

Hi Mojoey. Thanks for creating this for KK. I am her sister in law. Of course our family is drowning in grief over KK's passing :( :( . She's gone too soon :(

I had the pleasure of being KK's "fourth sister as she called me" for the past 15 years. I remember the very first time we met in person. I thought what a ball of energy! She was full of life and laughter. Joked at everything and made up these ridiculously funny songs about my daughter Abby Wabby Woo according to her, and her nephew Jamesie!

Everybody who knew KK knew her as a fashion icon :) Dana I can just see her as you said "strutting her stuff down there in Cabo lol" Only KK I swear! But that was just her. She was a true fashionista and her sense of it was always right on :)

Contd.....
Erica Ffolkes's avatar

Erica Ffolkes · 867 weeks ago

Karen lived life to the fullest and followed her dreams. She never once wavered even after being diagnosed. She told me in December "Erica I'm not ready. I am JUST NOT READY! But when the time comes if it comes I will be but I believe there is so much left for me to do here" And it was that tenacity and will to live that pulled her way past the reports of the doctors.

She did find her prince charming :) . Jeff, my heart goes out to you. You only had her for a short time but I know you will have her in your heart forever. Take solace in the fact that she is in a better place now. She's no longer smiling through pain. She is smiling like she had most of her life. She's in heaven smiling down on all of us.

I've never known such a deep and profound sadness ...... KK I will miss you forever and I am very grateful to have the happy memories to hold on to.

Love and miss you

Erica
Lisa Ditmore's avatar

Lisa Ditmore · 867 weeks ago

Dearest Friends & Family of Karen (aka "KK"),

My heart is weighing so heavy right now for KK!! I just got a voice message from Nikki of KK's passing and I am in SHOCK!! I didn't even know KK was ill.

I used to work with KK at Pro Staff for many years. KK, Nikki, and myself were like sisters and over the years we lost touch. Now I find out of this shocking news and I am numb. If at all possible, can someone please share with me why the Good Lord chose now to take KK away from us.

KK was the most postively infectious, beaming, spiritual, sweetest person anyone could be blessed to have in ones life. My heart goes out to all of KK's family & Jeff. Both, my husband Jim & myself will hold all of you in our thoughts and prayers. KK was too young & beautiful of a person to leave us so soon!

May the Good Lord bless you & keep you!!

Lisa Ditmore
marcie harte's avatar

marcie harte · 867 weeks ago

She would always say "assume the position", which meant that I should sit on her toilet seat, while she did her hair. Oh, how she hated her hair! And she would sleep on that satin pillow! We would eat dinner together almost every night then -- mostly, she cooked... and I loved when she'd make her rice and beans...We'd go to Bally's and work out. She was the workout queen.

KK and I took care of eachother then. Through the riots and the earthquake and lots of heartbreak. I am so glad that she found her someone. She deserved that -- but not to die the way she did. I can't stop crying. I am in such shock...I know that G-d just wanted her because she was such a beautiful person. My heart breaks for KK's family...but I am so glad that she had such an incredible support system. While we went our separate ways, I have never stopped loving her. She will always remain a very special part of my life and will forever be in my heart.

Marcie Harte
1 reply · active 586 weeks ago
Two years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Karen. Unfortunately, it was only the one time. She is my son's great aunt and I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing. I had always hoped that she would get better and we would have the opportunity to visit her in L.A. I wish that my son had gotten the chance to know her (because he was only a baby when she met him). Although I did not know her very well, her nephew (who always looked up to her) told me great things about her and told me she was always the life of the party -- so full of energy, positivity and happiness.

Although my son did not get a chance to know his great aunt, he will learn about her through family stories and photos. Her memory will live on and she will not be forgotten.

My condolences go out to her family and friends through this difficult time.

God bless you Karen, and may you rest in peace.
2 replies · active 826 weeks ago
Karen's funeral is today (the 6th) at First Evangelical Church in Glendale at 1:00 PM.

522 West Broadway
Glendale, CA
91204
I am sooo sad to have heard this news!!! I have thought about Karen non stop since I have lerned of her passing, I am sad!

I lost my dad to the same cancer just a year ago and nothing been the same since, my heart is broken. I am thinking of Karens family now and what they must feel today having to bury such a HUGE personality, I pray for them.

Cancer is a monster and doesnt discriminate, I hate it!

Karen will be missed and she left us too soon, I hope she now has peace and no pain. I know that God has opened his arms and welcomed Karen warmly.

Karen enjoyed living and we enjoyed knowing her!

May God bless her entire family and I hope they can see that Karen will be remembered fondly and she was loved!

God bless.........
Leighton & Annet's avatar

Leighton & Annet · 867 weeks ago

Our deepest sympathy, and condolences. We never had the opportunity to meet her, but having the pleasure of knowing her parents, sisters and brother, we can only imagine the tremendous loss .
May the family find peace and strength through our Lord and Saviour in these difficult times.
Caron Leid's avatar

Caron Leid · 867 weeks ago

I just heard the news today I am still in shock, as I have known Karen for over 20 years. We lost touch, but came back into contact through Facebook. I am really sad, Karen was a great person, and her smile was infectious. My condolenses goes out to her family and friends
She will be missed
Anita Taylor's avatar

Anita Taylor · 867 weeks ago

I am one of Karen's "actor friends" and I would be totally remiss if I didn't take a second to acknowledge how tremendously talented Karen was. She performed in a play I wrote, playing about 5-6 different characters, each wonderfully wacky and different from the rest. I gave her the nickname "Glendale Hills Barbie" because she once showed up to rehearsal decked out in pink from head to toe! Deep condolances to her friends and family....
I am one of Karen's best friends from we were children- our families knew each other well in Jamaica & are friends. Karen was the sister I always wanted (having 2 brothers) and we shared a special Aunt- Aunt Heather who we used to stay with in Kingston, Jamaica, mimick in fun, laugh, party, shop- yes we were fashion & shopping buddies to the end. Last fall we went to DSW & both met in the shoe aisle- I had 13 pairs of shoes & she had 9- we just looked at each other, burst out laughing & fell to the floor in fits of laughter. I was also her bridesmaid & KK was my maid of honour 6 years ago. My heart is still heavy, & I feel empty & lost- but most of all I still cannot accept that fact that our KK is actually gone. She was my best friend. I am crying as I write this because I miss her so much. My father passed away from cancer in July & KK was there for me, even in her illness.......I wish I could have helped her more. I really & truly thought that with her youth & positivity she would beat this- maybe I was in denial but I was trying to be positive right alongside her- that's just what friends do. I know that she had a strong faith & that she just closed her eyes & walked into the arms of God- no more pain. But it's hard to accept- I still think that I can just pick up the phone & call her-reality has not set in, even though I was at her funeral. From she moved to LA I would visit all the time, several times a year at times & we always had fun- no matter what, no matter where. And in all our years we never ever had a fight- now that's a real friend. Mojoey, I am glad that you started this blog- I saw it a couple weeks ago & burst into tears & just had the strength to open it & write something. KK will always be my best friend & is up there looking down & smiling right now- she will always be a HUGE part of my life. Jeff, my heart goes out to you now & always-KK you are always with me.
Briana Peoples's avatar

Briana Peoples · 839 weeks ago

Auntie Karen was the best person to ever walk this earth.
She was such a loving and caring person. The type that would go out of her way to please you. She was always real, always looking good :) and thats how she is remembered. A wonderful rolemodel, wife, and family member. I miss her dearly and she will NEVER be forgotten by me. Briana Peoples.

contact me anytime:

www.myspace.com/yourbeautifulisfateful

OR

brianapeoples@gmail.com

that is if you want too :)

I LOVE YOU AUNTIE KAREN.
forever and ever. <33
E. Carter's avatar

E. Carter · 718 weeks ago

what happen to Karen's 4 dogs?
Lmichelle's avatar

Lmichelle · 706 weeks ago

Just saw Karen's segment on the dog whisperer. So sad, she was so beautiful and full of life. God Bless Jeff, Karen's family and her 4 maltese.
Like the above poster, I just saw Karen on the Dog Whisperer. When they displayed the "In Memory", I immediately wanted to know why such a beautiful woman passed so young. I work at a cancer hospital in Florida, so Karen's story is not new to me. However, no matter how often I hear or see the same story, it doesn't make it easier...even for someone who works in the field. I've just spent the last 30min reading your posts and memories while shedding tears for your loss. I didn't see what type of cancer she had, but I hope that each and every one of you use her memory to educate those around you about prevention and donating to research for the prevention and cure of her cancer.

Post a new comment

Comments by