Karen Elizabeth Lively

Karen E. Lively of Fresno, CA, went into the arms of angels on March 11, 2024 at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA following a courageous battle with a long illness. 

Karen was born to Warren (“Red”) and Naomi Allen on June 1, 1943 in Lindsay, CA.  In her childhood years, she made many happy memories playing in the orange groves, and especially treasured the time she spent playing with her brother, Tom, and many cousins at her grandparent’s ranch in Lindsay.  In her school years, Karen enjoyed being a member of the Spanish Club, Y-Teens, and Girls’ League.  She was a line officer in the Lindsay bethel, International Order of Job’s Daughters, and became an honorary member.   As a Freshman at Lindsay High School, Karen met her soul mate, Earl Lively, Jr., when they were in home room together.  They were married in November of 1959 in Bakersfield, CA, and were blessed with 62 years of marriage until Earl’s passing in 2021. As a young bride, Karen accompanied her husband to New York City, where he was stationed when he was drafted into the U.S. Army.  She loved to tell about the adventures they shared in the 2 years they lived there, including sightseeing and enjoying Broadway shows.  After Earl was honorably discharged from the Army, they returned to California and settled in Fresno.  Karen made many good friends in her time spent working as a secretary in the office at Sierra Junior High School, and later at McLane High School.  Earl became a teacher in Clovis, and Karen spent many weekends with him taking high school students to Forensics competitions throughout California.  It was during this time that she discovered her love for travelling.  She and Earl took many trips to Europe through the years, on their own and also as chaperones for groups of high school students.  Karen always said that she was happiest when her bags were packed, and she and Earl were headed off to the airport for their next trip.   She also fondly remembered the adventures and happy times she and Earl had with “the Neighborhood” families, and dear friends, of Park Hills Estates.

In 1971, Karen and Earl became parents to their daughter, Jennifer, and were an incredible blessing to her throughout their lives.  They became grandparents to their grandson, Luke, in 2000.  Luke was the apple of their eyes, and they treasured every moment they spent with him as he grew. 

Those who knew Karen described her as a fun person with a wonderful sense of humor.   She loved to play practical jokes and had an infectious laugh that brightened the room around her.  She had a strong faith, a beautifully kind soul, and a huge and generous heart.  She was stronger than she ever gave herself credit for and fought incredibly hard for three years to beat cancer.  Her determination and her positive attitude never wavered.  There is comfort in knowing that Karen is reunited with her love and best friend, Earl, and has been restored in the everlasting presence of God.  She was truly loved and will be missed deeply by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege to know her. 

Karen is survived by her daughter, Jennifer (Lively) Forse, and son-in-law, Thomas; grandson, Luke Valles; and her brother Tom Allen and his wife Patricia. She was “Auntie Karen” to her nieces and nephews, and their children.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Warren (“Red”) and Naomi Allen of Visalia; her husband Earl W. Lively, Jr.; her parents-in-law Earl W., Sr. and Maybelle Lively of Lindsay; and her sister-in-law Marilyn Burchell and her husband Bill of Porterville. 

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to her doctors and medical teams at Stanford Medical Center, her oncologists Dr. Curtis Chong in Stanford and Dr. Joseph Pascuzzo in Fresno,  and the many people who gave her wonderful care throughout her cancer journey. 

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 29th, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Webb Sanders Funeral Home in Lindsay, CA, with burial to follow.  A reception and celebration of Karen’s life will be held immediately afterward.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Stanford Health Care in Karen’s name, online at memorial.stanford.edu or by mail at P.O. Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94309--0466.

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