Karen Ann Ross (2 Apr 1965 - 8 Mar 2025)

Dear Karen,
Where to start? Since finding out on Sunday that you gained your wings exactly 6 months ago by date, I have been trying to make sense of it all. I’m simply devastated and completely in shock and the gravity of your passing is so immense. You were simply too young. A very bright light has left the world and left holes in many people’s lives and this earthly plain is a poorer place for it. In speaking to your colleagues and friends from the Olympic Park these past couple of days, the feelings of shock, sadness and disbelief are all too common. There was also many happy reminisces of you and you have left fantastic memories.
To me you were an absolutely brilliant friend who in the early stages of the OP works gave me massive support when I was under pressure. You were invaluable. We worked hard but enjoyed many a laugh with the team during this time and there was never a dull day. This was down to your infectious positive attitude and warmness. I remember you holding your ground against a 6’5” quantity surveyor called John from G&T and you telling him a few home truths. It looked like a scene out of Peter Pan with Captain Hook and Tinkerbell (with the little stamp of your foot) and hence was born your nickname Tinkerbell on the OP. However, it was a nickname that suited you Karen as you were mischievous, full of fun and an absolute joy to work with. Your beautiful smile lit up the darkest, gloomiest of places and your enthusiasm energised the whole room or the pod of six we worked in with the planners.
Some happy memories for me were watching you giggling after seeing someone mistake a glass window for an entrance and then falling into hysterics when they did the same thing leaving. Ordering the obligatory chilled dry white when we were at team building do’s, stealing my crisps, and eating the lot of them stating that your need was greater than mine. Another was your delight in preparing and submitting one of the estimates on the programme. There are too many to articulate.
Then there was your compassionate and caring side of your nature when in March 2015, I was diagnosed with cancer and then ironically the following March my father died, you made to time to encourage, sympathise and give sound advice to an old friend. I will never forget you for that. It meant so much but then that was your selfless way with people you cared about. You were generous with your time.
There is so much I could write but it would take a lifetime. I’m sorry I didn’t get to attend your service but I simply didn’t know but hopefully these few words will make some amends for it.
I would like to thank your beautiful family for allowing me to say a few words here on your remembrance book and send my deepest sympathies for their loss of a loving wife, mother and grandmother. No amount of words will ever suffice.
And so my beautiful, bubbling, larger than life mate, I wish you a fond farewell for now. Spread your wings and sprinkle your Karen dust across the heavens. You were larger than life. See you on the other side Tink.
God bless you Karen xx

Oh Karen, I was so sad to hear you had left us. I remember fondly my first few weeks at GT, feeling lost and wondering what I had done - you were always there. You would check in with me every night before you left, making sure I wasn’t overwhelmed or scared of Gary! You’d fight everyone off who was asking too much of me, too soon and you really were my work mum in a world I was stranger in. I will always remember how you made me feel during that time and I can honestly say that you probably stopped me quitting in those early days.

I remember how you told me all about Florida and we spent ages talking about all of the things to do and you reassuring me that I would not get attacked by an alligator and that I’d likely not even see one! You baked me a Key Lime Pie for my first American adventure and we all laughed as you used your cook’s blow torch on it in the office, while you panicked and wafted the smoke out of the window through fear of it setting the alarm off! That small gesture of baking me a Key Lime Pie has always been special to me and I often think back to that day.

You were such a support figure Karen, and were there for everyone around you - always. Your family were your world and that was so clear. The love you had for them all beamed out of you like a ray of light.

I’ll missing knowing you’re just a call away, Karen. Thank you for being there for us all. x x

We want to pay our respects to David, Callum, James, Kate and all the family.

Karen was an amazingly generous, funny, beautiful lady inside and out.

We will miss her so very much…
Our conversation in the Salon were always colourful sometimes emotional but mostly hilarious.

To us she will be the brightest star in the sky…✨

We are so very sorry we’ve all lost this amazing lady far to soon. ♥️♥️♥️

Mom,
I should’ve been calling you yesterday to tell you about how my first day in my new job went. How nice my manager is, how much I’m looking forward to working with my new team. How I’m doubting my ability and knowledge, and you should’ve been at the other end telling me to stop being silly and remind me that I’m intelligent and deserving of this position. Instead I drove home in silence because nothing else could fill the void that should’ve been you on the other end of my phone.
I’m still abit lost, trying to navigate my way through life without you.
I check this page everyday, reading people’s fond words and memories they shared with you. You really are 1 in a million, and I, along with everyone else, miss you endlessly. Can’t wait til we can dance to ABBA again together one day.
Love you forever and ever xxx

Just a reminder for those attending the funeral to wear colours, or whatever is comfortable. My mom always mentioned she didn’t want people wearing black to her funeral 💚

My fabulous Ninja Buddy, there are not the words to define the amazing force of nature that you were and the gap you have left in mine and everyone’s lives.

So many worried that we would clash when we first started working together 11 years ago, but we just clicked, as most people did with you. You were just a delight to work with and be around, always buzzing with work, joking, laughing inappropriately, sharing our worries, talking family, who you were so proud of and loved so much. And, of course, you regularly feeding us with some wonderful baking!

Work took us in different directions in GT, but our friendship continued, our morning catch ups as we drove to work became habit, then Teams calls as home working became the norm. I keep going to ring you each time I drive to Solihull, then remember you won’t answer. It still hasn’t sunk in, so I chat to you while I drive, and imagine what you’d say, and I hear your chuckle, and I remember you.

I will never forget my Ninja buddy, work bestie, and always be grateful of the good times we shared.
Rest in peace chuck, see you again one day xx

Karen, we worked together over the years, we laughed, we cussed, we chatted about anything and everything and though changes at work meant we didn't see each other still we always knew we could count on each other. You were amazing, funny, kind and I know your family were your world.

I still can't believe I won't hear your chuckle again, you will be remembered and missed by many. Thank you for being my colleague and my friend, see you later xx

Karen was such a big part of my work family and I can't express how much I am going to - and already am - missing her.

When I very first worked with her - years ago - I mis-heard someone in the team saying her name as 'Mother Convention' and she was known to me as 'MC' for evermore. She called me 'SM' - but we won't go into that!

She was a phenomenal woman, a powerhouse who motored through even the most challenging of projects with laughter, determination and very high standards.

She has left a massive hole for so many people - none more so than her beloved family, whom she adored and talked about so much, I felt I knew you all. My heart goes out to you.

Every email to and from Karen was signed off with a big, fat MWAH! X

MC, I will miss you Flower. You were a superhero. May you rest in peace you lovely lady. With my love, SM. MWAH! X