- Date Of Birth: December 13, 1953
- Date Of Death: April 3, 2022
- State: Michigan
Karen Lynn (Kilbourn) Smolarkiewicz, age 68 of Beaverton, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2022. She was blessed to be at home with her daughter and son in law by her side. Karen was born in Cass City, Michigan on December 13, 1953 to the late John “Jack” and Verna (Heronemus) Kilbourn.
Though Karen had many health struggles she was a proud Breast Cancer Survivor. Her love for interior decorating and antiquing were a favorite hobby of hers and she enjoyed making her house a home. With her home being on the lake, she loved to go boating and fishing. Road trips up north were a must as was keeping in touch with her friends. Most importantly, Karen will be remembered for the love and devotion she had for her family.
Karen married the love of her life, Leonard Smolarkiewicz, in Cass City, Michigan on November 17th, 1973. They shared 46 wonderful years together before his passing on December 7, 2019. Together they raised their daughter, Suzanne (Will) Potts of Sanford. In addition to her family, she will be missed by many true friends and dear neighbors. She was preceded in death by her parents, John “Jack” and Verna (Heronemus) Kilbourn; sister, Arlene O’Toole; and twin brothers, Kevin and Kenneth Kilbourn who passed at birth.
In tribute to Karen’s life her daughter dedicates this poem.
Life is amazing.
And then it is awful. And then it’s amazing again. And between the amazing and the awful, it’s ordinary, mundane and routine. Breathe in the amazing, relax and exhale during the ordinary. That’s just living. Heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, ordinary life.
And it’s breathtakingly beautiful.
