Karen Clark McConachie

SUN CITY - Karen was born in Elmhurst, Ill., on Oct. 31, 1941. She passed away on Sept. 28, 2016, surrounded by her family, after suffering an aneurysm while riding her beloved horse. She was loved very much and will long be remembered as The World's Greatest Grammy, Mother, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Friend and Mentor. Karen was an accomplished woman with many interests. She graduated with a BA from Elmhurst College and started her long and illustrious banking and trust career in St. Louis, Mo. It ultimately brought her to Harris Trust Bank in Sun City, 30 years ago via Olympia, Wash. What made her an exceptional trust executive was her genuine caring, compassion and concern for all of her clients and their personal well-being. Karen was athletic, poised and talented in so many ways. She was a cheerleader in her youth and a lifelong pianist, painter and equestrian, receiving numerous accolades and awards in all of these activities. Community involvement and volunteerism were important to her throughout her life–most recently she served with the Kiwanis, the Sun Health Foundation Board, the Fiesta Bowl Hospitality Committee and the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Last but by no means least, she was the "hostess with the mostest" and loved to entertain and cook for her family and friends - a lot. Karen's most prized roles, however, were those of mother to two daughters, Dawn and Stacey, and wife of 25 years to David. Survivors include her husband, David McConachie; daughters, Dawn (Craig) McSavaney, of Boulder, Colo., and Stacey (Matthias) Wolf, of Phoenix; and stepsons, Paul McConachie and Kevin (Heather) McConachie, of Holyoke, Colo. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren, Jordan, Paige, Heidi, Abby, Kyrah, Piper and Kree; her sister, Dawn (Skip) Corley, of Phoenix; and mother-in-law, Bettie McConachie. A celebration of her remarkable life and beautiful spirit will be held at a later date. Contributions (in lieu of flowers, please) should be made to Horses Help!, an accredited non-profit that provides equine assisted activities and therapies in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Family and friends are invited to visit www.hansenmortuary.com to share memories. And, don't forget, Karen would want you to cast your vote on November 8th!