Karen Hall (29 Jun 1965 - 11 Nov 2015)

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KarenMacmillan Cancer Support

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Location
St. Stephen's Church Willington DL15 0DE
Date
19th Nov 2015
Time
2.15pm
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Location
Wear Valley Crematorium Coundon DL14 8NR
Date
19th Nov 2015
Time
3pm

Location
The Burn West End Terrace Willington DL15 0HW
Date
19th Nov 2015
Time
3.30pm

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In loving memory of Karen Hall who sadly passed away on 11th November 2015. A free and wandering spirit who touched so many people's lives.

Eulogy: 20th November 2015 read by her mam Frances.

Karen was born in Leeds on the 29th June 1965

At 4 ½ months she sat on the floor by herself – even then she was strong willed!

And when she was 1 year old she climbed over a gate in our back yard, and decided to go for a walk by herself.

If she could get free of my hand when she was a toddler, she would. Run away - with me always running after her!

We said even then she has a wanderlust and was a free spirit.

After a few years, we moved back to the North East and she started school at Hunwick – followed by secondary school at Parkside and Wolsingham for her A levels.

During her time at Wolsingham, she became great friends and was influenced by a group of ‘bikers’ in Bishop Auckland, and spent many evenings and weekends with them. She always said she would eventually buy a motorbike of her own – despite our protests.

When she moved away from home to study Bio-Physics at University in London, she did eventually buy a motorbike – and, instead of being a doctor as we hoped, she ended up working as a motorbike courier in London in the mid 80’s to subsidise her student life!

After a year at Uni, she decided to take a gap year, and her fist job was with the New England Medical Journal. In that job, she travelled all over Europe, and then America, Canada & Australia. And she travelled much more outside of her work: visiting India. Thailand and many other countries.

She ending up living in Australia for a year, and then in Canada for 2 years.

In 2002, Karen visited Jamaica, and after a three week holiday, fell in love with the place so much, that she returned home, put her flat in Stratford (London) for sale, and then moved lock, stock and barrel to Jamaica.

She lived in Jamaica for 6 years, where she met Clarence (her husband) and where she was blessed with her daughter, Enya.
When Enya was 11 months old in 2009, Karen came back home to live.

Our lives were so enriched by having Karen & Enya living with us until 2012, and living near us in Crook for the subsequent three years.

Karen’s dream was always to return to Jamaica, but sadly, it was not to be.

We as a family feel as if our lives have been torn apart at the loss of our beautiful daughter, who , as many of you will know, was known as butterfly kazie.

As butterly Kazie, she wrote much about the ‘source’ and her spirituality.To us and many others, Karen was a source of hope, inspiration and happiness.

Karen, may you rest in peace and rise in glory.

We love you and will always miss you.

Rahul Sarnaik wrote

I'm very sorry to hear the awful news about Karen. I knew her at Hunwick Juniors and then at Wolsingham Comp., and remember her vividly as vivacious, witty, and very determined to live life on her own terms. We didn't see each other after A-levels but am glad to hear that she lived a full and rich life. I remember she was keen to travel and see the world, and it's good that she fulfilled that dream. Condolences from me and my family to Karen's daughter and to all her family. Am sure they'll miss Karen enormously.

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Anna Ridley wrote

I was at Wolsingham School with Karen studying the same subjects at A Level. I am so very sorry to hear this news and send my deepest condolences to her family. I have happy memories of our time at school and I'm glad Karen had a full and exciting life, allbeit too short. RIP lovely lady xx

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Amanda Metcalfe donated £25 in memory of Karen
Emma Hall donated £14 in memory of Karen

Love you my special cousin fly high

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Emma Hall lit a candle
Michelle Longstaff wrote

Amazing and inspiring Lady who will be sadly missed. So honoured to have meet you xx

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Melissa Gustard wrote

Still can't believe you have gone Karen... Your suffering is no more and your finally resting in peace... I didn't know you long but still managed to leave footprints in my heart. I'll never forget your kind words while I was pregnant with little Ella.... God has gained an amazing woman, free spirit and loving mummy.

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Linda Sinclair is attending the funeral and the reception
Yvonne Wilkinson is attending the funeral
Yvonne Wilkinson wrote

I treasure the memories of our youth my dear friend, we shared some great times. Thank you again, for your compassion and kind words when my mam recently died - even though you were so ill yourself at the time, you were keen to ensure me she would be with me always. I know this is true, and I can say the same to Enya, and to your family and loved ones - you will be with them always guiding them through the good times and the bad. You were so strong and remained positive throughout your illness - I am sure Enya has inherited the same strength of spirit and kindness that you were blessed with. God Bless You Kazie, and your family - you will be sadly missed xxxx

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Yvonne Wilkinson lit a candle
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Karen Norman lit a candle
Deborah Whitfield wrote

R.I.P to a really great person you gained your wing to early. you are going to be miss by me,amy and eve. don't party to hard in heaven love and miss you Karen xxxxxx

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Deborah Whitfield lit a candle
Kelly Mckenna wrote

R.I.p to a lovely lady taken to soon but now at peace xx

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Kelly Mckenna lit a candle
Lynn Contrucci wrote

Irie dreams, sweet Karen. Jah bless and watch over your Enya. x x x

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Lynn Contrucci lit a candle
Mark Danderson wrote

I do not know where to begin. Karen was a force of nature. I have to admit that I was often frightened to death and thrilled whenever I was with her. I lived in awe of her determination and her powerful spirit. We shared an all too brief time together but she impacted my life in so many ways I cannot begin to count them. Our life paths took us in different directions, she to Jamaica and me to Austalasia, but I never forgot that it was her influence that gave me the courage to trek to distant lands. Though distance made it hard to see each other or to even communicate Karen always remained close in my heart. Her passing leaves a whole that will not heal quickly but I am eternally grateful to have shared some of her adventure for however brief a time. Godspeed to you Karen, I will miss you and cherish our time together forever.

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kelly dowsey lit a candle
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Barbara Winter wrote

My dearest,positive,strong willed lady i miss you more than you will ever no, im so pleased i got the pleasure to be in you and enyas life for the last few months you have filled my heart with joy and laughter and i will never forget you.i was with you till the end and never wanted you to leave me , my world is a sadder place without you,forever in my heart karen r.i.p see you in heaven Xxxxxxx

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Kathryn Fairhurst lit a candle
Kathryn Fairhurst wrote

Karen it was an honour to know such a lovely lady and a very wise one at that ... and you will live on in your daughter enya who we all adore fly high i know you will be always guiding and watching over enya xxxx

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Leanne Parkinson lit a candle
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Angela Fish wrote

Karen I am so pleaseded we were friends.Going through school with you, till we left. Everyone parted and went there seperate ways.
We did what we had to with our lives, then you came back home.
I enjoyed our chats, and meeting your daughter enya. She is a very strong willed little girl. So much like her mam, in looks and nature. Karen was a great, lovely, peace making and spiritual person.
Karen You will shine through in enya, and always be around her in her happy times and sad.
Be at peace my friend, fly high in the sky.
Love to all your family, John, Francis, Gary, guilty and enya.
Love you always my friend Karen R.I.P
Xxxxx

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Andria Alderson wrote

Beautiful lady gone to soon ? Xx

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