Karen Elizabeth Julina Hawley

Karen Hawley passed away peacefully in the early morning of July 8, 2021, at the age of 58. She fought like a tiger against her returning breast cancer and Covid-19. Karen was surrounded by her husband, children, siblings, and parents. She was a nurturing mother to her daughter Ana and son Max, a caring wife to her husband David, a loving daughter and caregiver to father Murray and mother Elizabeth, a supportive sister to brother Alex and sister Peggy and aunt to nieces and nephews Ayisha, Bruno, Finnigan and Molly. Karen tirelessly worked for others and always moved through the world with kindness, empathy, and love. A passionate activist, she dedicated her life to fighting countless good fights - from the deep roots she planted throughout Ontario’s PIRG (Ontario Public Interest Research Group) network to her ongoing interest and plans of building a tire house - she has inspired so many others along her journey. She also lent her voice and was active in: - The global boycott of Pepsi; - The Burmese Student’s movement; - The student days of action against tuition hikes; - Solidarity with welfare recipients; - Showing support for those in East Timor and Palestine; - The Kanata-Carleton NDP Riding Association; - The York University project - Work in a Warming World; - She was key in the early development of Ecology Ottawa; - And so much more… Her environmental activism fed into her long love of nature, including the numerous gardens she built in her backyard, the communities she lived in and her workplaces, and her plans to become a master gardener. Like a goddess of nature, Karen sparkled when she worked in the soil and was close to the Earth. Karen was also a skilled quilter who made many beautiful pieces. Almost everything she sewed was dedicated to someone she loved, and she would often tell stories as she worked on a piece, stitching her memories into the fabric. As a friend, Karen was unfailingly generous with her encouragement, empathy and support. She delighted in bringing people together and finding shared experiences. She will be remembered for more than just her impactful and hard work but for who she was as a person - Karen loved unconditionally, she was the epitome of motherhood, a caregiver, and above all a generous, kind human. She will be remembered in the minds, memories and hearts of the countless people who knew her and those that she positively affected through her strength and compassion. If you would like to donate to a cause Karen was involved with and passionate about, visit https://ottawariverkeeper.ca/single-gift/, an organization supporting the protection and health of the Ottawa River watershed.