KAREN POLLITT-SMITH

Karen’s life began on July 31st, 1980, at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, and it would be there on December 12th, 2025, at age 45 where her life would end.

She is survived by her beloved parents, Rick and Marlene, brother, Jeff, only nephew Andrew Encarnacion, her aunt Joanne and uncle Charlie Bobrowich, as well as several cousins and their families. She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Joseph and Josephine Rogoski, her paternal grandparents, Hugh and Helen P. Smith, and her uncle Bob and aunt Phyllis Rogoski.

Karen grew up in Windsor Park. She attended General Vanier elementary school and at Niakwa Place School for junior high. She was involved in many activities from swimming lessons, soccer, Brownies, Girl Guides, to camping and traveling across parts of Canada and the USA with her family.

Karen graduated from Windsor Park Collegiate in 1998. During her high school years, she was actively involved in the high school’s music program in both band and choir. During this time, she was able to participate in band trips to Banff, Alberta and summer music camp at the International Peace Garden. The tenor saxophone and acoustic guitar were the instruments of choice that she played.

Early adulthood would eventually lead Karen to a career in the health care field. She worked at various places and for various organizations, beginning with the Rosewood Village, Visions of Independence, SATH, and finally with WRHA as both a health care aide and home care worker.

Karen’s pastimes included reading, sewing, knitting, crafts, listening to music, computer time and text messaging. She even operated her own photography business, “Precious Moments Photography” for a time. She loved all her pets from her furry felines: Monkey, Milo and Smudge, to her canines: Barkley and Rosy.

Life throws unexpected curves and a final mental health diagnosis, along with other debilitating health conditions would forever change the course of her life. Mental illness is an “invisible illness” for which there is no cure. This would eventually result in her inability to continue working in a field that she very much enjoyed. We watched often in silence, her personal struggle with depression, anxiety, along with her emotional and physical pain. Endless doctor appointments, hospital admissions, and many ongoing mental health and self-help programs became her way of life. Membership in the YMCA for many years however, enabled her to enjoy leisure activities and outings with others. We slowly watched as her physical health declined, but through it all she rarely complained. Karen always thought of others ahead of herself, even while inwardly struggling with her own health battles. With love and happiness came heartache and sorrow, and a life cut far too short.

For the last eleven years Karen enjoyed living in her cozy apartment on Meadowood Drive in St. Vital. We, her parents, are thankful for the friendships and support given to her by her friends, Kim, Trisha, Paula, and longtime friend, Ruth, who was present with Karen’s mother and cousins, Kelly and Lianne at the time of her passing.

We will always remember Karen’s beautiful curly hair, big eyes, and infectious smile as a child. More importantly though, we will never forget the warm, caring, compassionate, and considerate person with a sensitive heart, that she became during her lifetime. These were the qualities she hoped people would one day see in her, which they did.

A private family gathering to celebrate Karen’s life will be held, at a later date. For someone who always loved her angels and collections of angels she has now become one, herself.

Rest in peace, our beloved daughter --- you’ve truly earned your “wings”.

“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved, we can never lose, for all that we loved deeply becomes a part of us.” 

- Helen Keller

​

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

​