OHRT – Reverend Karen P., (Ret.) 75, of Hunt’s Point, Queens County, passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022.
Born in Liverpool, NS, Karen was a daughter of the late Erlin and Wilhelmina (Fralic) Conrad.
Karen grew up in Beach Meadows, Queens County, but left home after high school to go to Ontario. She married a young military office, had two children in Ottawa, ON, the next in Prince George, BC, and the last in Halifax, NS. By 1980, and after a divorce, she returned to Beach Meadows to raise her children as a single mother. She worked hard, often working two jobs at the same time, until 1993. Then, with three children away at university and the youngest almost through high school, Sears and H&R Block both closed their Liverpool locations. Suddenly, without any jobs, Karen was left struggling with what to do now.
From her youth, she had been an active volunteer at church, and this continued as she moved across the country while married. Now, in 1993, at age 47, she found her way back. She went to Mount St Vincent University, where her sister was getting her Masters degree, and got her BA so that she could go to the Atlantic School of Theology. Part of that degree was an 8-month internship. Karen went to Sault Ste. Marie, where she was the first woman clergy that church had ever had. She spent half of her internship in the church and half as the nursing home chaplain.
In May 2000, at 54 and in front of her parents, siblings, and children, Karen was ordained as a minister in the United Church of Canada. The church placed her close to home in the Petite Riviere Pastoral Charge, where she had a flock of six churches. She preached three times every Sunday, morning, noon, and evening. She loved every opportunity to minister, but one of her favourite services each year was the Blessing of the Animals. Over the years, that service included cats, dogs, rabbits, chickens, at least one horse, several goats, and a hamster. She petted & blessed every last one with a smile on her face and a cowboy hat on her head.
Karen’s health had always been a challenge that she met and overcame. While at university in the mid-90’s, Karen had breast cancer and then kidney cancer. During her time in Petite, she had a knee replaced. In 2010, she retired due to disability and moved to Liverpool.
In 2012, she returned to the pulpit at Wesley United Church in Hunts Point, leading special services that required an ordained minister. In 2014, she became their pulpit supply minister. In 2017, she moved for the last time, making her home in Hunts Point, where she lived with her cat, Niki, and hedgehog, Spiny Norman.
In 2021, the breast cancer returned. The surgery appeared to be successful, but this time the cancer was more aggressive and, combined with other health challenges, the stress on her body was too much. She passed peacefully, in her sleep and at home with family.
Karen is survived by her daughters Danielle Baines of Lunenburg, NS; Suzanne Ohrt of Chamonix, FR.; her sons Jeffrey of Liverpool, NS and John Paul (Katherine) Conrad of Blackfalds, AB. Her grandchildren Madison Baines, Alexander and Claire Conrad. Her sister Rosanne Conrad Williams (Larry Williams) of Greenfield and her brother Dennis (Tammy Kennedy) of Beach Meadows.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool, NS. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. No flowers by request, donations to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com
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Print Obituary & Condolences
Darlene Connolly
To Karen’s family – Sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one. I first met Karen through my husband Bill when both he and Karen worked at Sears (a long time ago). I since had contact with her through the United Church. Always enjoyed a chat with her. She will certainly be missed.
Joyce Hawkes
My condolences to all of Karen’s Family. She was a wonderful lady of many talents. I worked with her at Sears Canada, Liverpool for a number of years. She was a great worker and always very friendly and Professional. Later, She did well in her calling from the Lord. Treasure the memories. Rest In Peace Karen. God Bless you All.
linda marlene dagley
Sincere and deepest sympathy to all the family. RIP
Cathy Wentzell
Dear Rosanne and Family,
I am saddened to read of Karen’s passing.
Please accept my sincere condolences and know
that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many.
Cathy
Mary Lowe
So sorry to hear of Karen’s
passing…
sending sincere condolances to the Family..
Barb Redmond
Rosanne I remember a lovely day spent with you and the girls and on that day I met your wonderful sister.
I am so sorry to read this.
Sending love and my sincerest condolences.
Love,
Barb
Shirley Neals
So very sorry to hear of Karen’s passing!
She was a wonderful person and a good friend for a number of years when I lived in Beach Meadows..
You worked hard for the Lord Karen, he has now taken you home!
Rest in peace …your job on earth is done!
Bless your family with peace of mind and comfort of heart..
Dave Rushton
Roseanne and Dennis….so very sorry to learn of Karen’s passing. My sincerest condolences to you both.
Cathie & Kevin Wentzell
Rosanne & Family
We extend our sincerest condolences to and your family.
Beverley & Betty-Jean Colp.
To all of Karen’s family we send our condolences in your loss. She has gone home and will now be at peace and have no pain. Beverley & I have you in our thoughts and prayers.
Tammy Densmore
She was the nicest lady,I always enjoyed going there to clean for her .
Roseanna and Dennis ,so sorry for your loss .
My condolences to all the family .
Marilyn
So sorry to hear thinking of family at this very sad time a awsume minister and friend always had a chat never walk by without asking how u was RIP ❤
Sherrill & Dennis Harrington
Roseanne,
So very sorry for your sad loss, sending heartfelt condolences to all of the family.Take care❤️
Judi Maillett
To Karen’s family so sorry to see this. Take care & keep memories close in your heart.
Tanya Grant
Rosanne and family…so sorry to read of Karen’s passing. My condolances❤
Bonnie Mitton
So sorry for your loss, my prayers are with you all.
Kathy Veinot
Chubby and Kathy Veinot
Dennis, Rosanne and Family:
Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of your sister. Hold your memories close and remember her with a smile.
Patti Blimke
Dennis, Tammy and family. I am so sorry to read of Karen’s passing. She was always nice to me me. I will remember her kindness. Hold your memories close!
Condolences,
Patti
Shirley
Karen has always been a good friend and always ready to sit down when we could and help make sense of life. love to you all. Thinking of you Roseann as well and hope all is good with you. Shirley
Rev Dr Wayne Smith/UCC
Deepest condolences and prayers with you. Karen will also be missed by her faith community.
Val Conrad
For Karen’s family – I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with Karen at Sears and she was one of a kind in the best way possible. Karen was always cheerful and a great help whenever she was needed. We shared many stories and so many laughs over those years. I know she will be sadly missed. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Cathy de Rome
Rosanne and Dennis,
So sorry to be reading this. Sending sincere condolences to all the family at this difficult time.
Doris Lohnes Schnare
I was shocked yesterday to learn of Karen’s passing, and wish to send my heartfelt sympathy to her children, grandchildren, brother, sister and all other members of her family. She was a lovely, friendly, hard-working lady and we were proud to have her as one of our family members. She certainly gave of herself to make the world a better place. May you Rest in Peace, Karen.
Brenda lawrence
Roseanne, Dennis and Karen’s Family .
So shocked to read about Karen .
May she RIP .
Sincere condolences at this difficult time .
Brenda Lawrence
Joanne and Donald Uhlman
Rosanne and family, so sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. Sending our sincere condolences on your loss.
Tim McDonald
It was certainly sad to see Karen’s obituary. Although I haven’t seen her for quite a long time, we bowled together back in the 1980s and had a lot of fun times. She was always so friendly and upbeat. Years went by and I didn’t see her forever and didn’t know she had become a minister. You can imagine my surprise when I went to a relative’s funeral and Karen was doing the service. I made a point to go chat with her after the service and we laughed about our bowling years.
My sincere condolences to all of her family at this very sad time.
Cathy Miller
Rosanne, I was so sorry to read about your sister. I remember when you would talk about her, thinking what a close bond you two shared. My thoughts are with you.
Donna and Kirk Whynot
To Karen’s family, so sorry to hear that Karen has passed away, she was a wonderful person and will be missed. Thinking of you all at this difficult time. RIP Karen
Sarah Turner
Jeff – very sorry to learn of your mom’s passing. Sending you heartfelt condolences and love.
Brenda Huskins
Sad to read of Karen’s passing. She was always so friendly and nice, new here since high school days.
Leslie Clarke
Thinking of all Karen’s family at this sad time. Karen reached out to me and my family during a difficult time. Such a wonderful caring person and I appreciated her thoughtfulness greatly. May you find contentment in good memories.
Patricia Drew
So sorry to hear of Rev. Karen’s passing, Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, we enjoyed Karen’s time with us here in Petite Riviere
Sandra Carruthers
Dear family of Reverend Karen Ohrt
I was sorry to read of Karen’s passing in today’s paper. She was my student minister when I was minister at Stairs Memorial United Church in Dartmouth. She and I became good friends, but lost contact after she was ordained. I did read of her ministry on the South Shore for a number of years.
Please accept my condolences at this time and be assured that this dear women now resides in God’s eternal keeping.
May you have wonderful memories of times spent with her.
Sincerely,
Rev. Sandra Carruthers
Linda Lucier
So sorry Rosanne and Dennis. Am thinking of you and all of the family. We’re never quite ready for these things. may Karen Rest In Peace.. my sincere condolences . Linda
Debbie Foote
Roseanne and Dennis and family….i was shocked to see that karen has passed….i have known karen all my life….as my dad and her dad Erlin were the best of friends…her parents home was like a second home to me as a small child…i remember many a night curled up in the den on the comfy couch as our parents visited late into the evening…..when i was older i babysat karens four children….Karen was always a happy friendly person and thats how i will remember her….rest in peace karen…your work on earth is done…i know you are reunited with your parents
Elizabeth Boland
To Karen’s family. So sorry to read of Karen’s passing. I worked with Karen at Sears and she was a wonderful kind person. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Liz Boland
Marcia P Harding
Dear Roseanne,
I am sorry that you lost your beautiful sister. I know you two were very close. Condolences to all who loved Karen.
Marcia
Joanne and Kevin Colp
Kevin and I would like to say how sorry we are to hear of Karen’s passing. To all of Karen’s family know that we are thinking of you at this difficult time.Treasure the memories you have with her. RIP Karen
Robert & Sally Fader
Suzanne and family;
So very sorry to read that you have lost your Mom. Sending sincere condolences at this very sad and difficult time.
Kim Lohnes
Sending condolences to all of Karen’s family.
Goretti MacIsaac
Roseanne,
We were very saddened to hear about your sister’s passing. It’s always difficult to lose a loved one. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
-Duncan & Goretti
Paul and Gloria Whynot
Roseanne, Larry and family, Dennis and Tammy
We are very sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. Keep her memories close to your heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Paul and Gloria
Judy Dalby
Rosane and Family, Dennis and Tammy
Sorry to hear about Karen’s passing. Enjoyed talking with her and playing 45s at mutal friends homes.
God Bless
Judy Dalby
Cindy Embree
Our condolences to Karen’s family. It was great to work with her to support faith communities. She was always so bright and full of ideas. It was impressive that Karen, even while ill, managed to write brilliant sermons for her congregates. We send love to all her family, from the United churches in Lockeport, Little Harbour and East Sable-Port L’hebert .
Bonnie Wentzell
To the family:
Sending sincere condolences at this difficult time. I knew Rev. Karen from our work with the church.
Sincerely,
Bonnie and Norman
Barry,Sharon, Shirley Levy
To the Family:
We are very sorry to read of Karen’s passing.
She was a good friend to Shirley who enjoyed their many times together with friends.
Sending sincere condolences to all of Karen’s loved ones.
Laurie MacCuish
My deepest condolences to all of Karen’s family on your great loss. I was one of Karen’s classmates at A.S.T. and a fellow graduate and ordinand of 2000. We so enjoyed Karen at A.S.T. ! She always had a beautiful smile, despite the challenges of studies and her health. We shared many laughs together. She will be deeply missed by family, friends and colleagues alike. May the love of God surround you all and may tender memories warm your hearts. Dear Karen, May God hold you in the palm of his hand and grant you peace.
Jane (Colp) Hansen
To Karen’s Family:
So sad to read of Karen’s passing but after speaking with her nephew today I feel she went to sleep in her home and woke up in Heaven. I hope you fine some comfort in that. Blessings
Jane (Colp) Hansen
Denise (Fralic) Winfield
Sorry to hear about your loss, thinking of you all.
Lloyd Bruce
Greetings, Karen was an intern at John Wesley in Sault St Marie and I served as her Educational Supervisor. She taught us much and we all learned together. With deep deep gratitude for her ministry and service to all God’s people.
Joyce Bolivar
To Rev. Karens family so sorry for your loss and we will miss her.
Kathy Whynot
So very sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. Much love and deepest sympathies to all of you.
Kathy (Conrad) & Tim Whynot
Sylvia and Mike Langille
Dear Rosanne and family,
So sorry to hear about your sister’s passing. She was so very lucky to have your love and support over the years. Take care and God Bless ❤️
Stephen and Marilyn Anthony
So sorry for your loss
Andrea Crouse
Rosanne,
So sad to hear of your sister’s passing. Sincere condolences to you and your family.
Barbara Keans
I am so sorry for your loss. Rev Karen was a wonderful teacher of the Lord words. She had a powerful voice that was warm and kind. Every service I attended I was so blessed to receive something from her words. I will miss her and always remember her. Right now she is at our Lords feet and I’m sure she has many questions for Him and she is laughing and dancing. God speed
Karen Colp
To Karen’s family: thinking of you all @ this very difficult time. May you find some comfort as you relish the memories shared with one another.
Take good care!
linda marlene dagley
sincere and deepest sympathy to the family. She sure lived a full life. Thinking of you all from Italy Cross(Petite Pastoral Charge)
Carol Smith
To Karen’s family ,
Deepest condolences at the loss of your mom and grandmother and sister. Karen served faithfully and now may she Rest In Peace.
God bless, Carol Smith
Marsha & Mike Ringer
So very sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. Thinking of her family at this difficult time.
Jane (Colp) Hansen
To Karen’s Family:
So sad to read of Karen’s passing but after speaking with her nephew today I feel she went to sleep in her home and woke up in Heaven. I hope you find some comfort in that. Blessings
Jane (Colp) Hansen
Stella Conrad
My deepest condolences to Karen’s family
Sharl-Anne Briere (Dauphinee)
To Karen’s family,
So sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. Remember her very well in the 80’s. Always thoughtful and kind to others. RIP Karen!
Greg Golden
Rosanne and family,
I am so sorry to have missed the notice of Karen’s passing. Please accept my condolences for your loss. I fondly remember going to visit Karen at her home in Beach Meadows, many years ago. We always shared a laugh! Take care.
Greg
Gail Meisner
Dear Rosanne, I was saddened to learn of your sister’s death. Cherish your memories during this difficult time and always My sincerest condolences.
Sheree Chandler
Dear Rosanne and Family,
I was so sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. I’m sure she provided comfort and solace to many in her years of ministry.
My deepest sympathies in your loss.
Sheree Chandler
Mike and Donna West
Dear Rosanne and Family,
So sorry to hear of your sister’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Mike and Donna West
Joanne McFadden
To Karen’s family;
You will miss Karen in all the roles she played in your lives. She was mom, grandmother, sister, family elder in many ways! My condolences to you in your time of loss.
I was a colleague of Karen’s here on the South Shore. I remember her strong, determined leadership when she was the chair of the South Shore Presbytery and her commitment to due process and to helping the Presbytery fulfill it’s ministry and mission.
It wasn’t always an easy task, yet she took on an extra year as chair, when no one else would step up to the task.
May she rest in peace and may each of you take comfort in your memories of Karen, and in the knowledge she fulfilled her ministry with a brave heart, a deep commitment and a grounded deep faith.
Peace