Karen Marie Bartlett

Peacefully, at Sakura House in Woodstock after a courageous battle with cancer, Karen Marie Bartlett (nee Gillespie), in her 76th year.

Sadly missed by her son Tim and his wife April of Drumbo along with grandchildren Emily, Ethan, Brayden, and Lita.

Karen is also survived by her brother Ron Gillespie (Judie), and sister-in-law Lyn Goddard (Frank) along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Predeceased by her husband Jim Bartlett (2008), her parents Earl (1989) and Dorothy (2006) Gillespie, sisters Joanne Mueller (1975), and Carol Eccles (2003), sister-in-law Betty Gillespie (2004), and brother-in-laws Bob Goddard (2005), Joseph Bartlett (2017), and Morris Eccles (2021).

After marrying the love of her life, Jim in 1969, Karen graduated from St. Mary's School of Nursing in 1970. She worked at St. Mary's Hospital in Kitchener until moving to the family farm in Drumbo in 1975.  Karen began her 34 year career at Woodstock Hospital in 1978, holding many positions until retiring as the Vice President of Patient Care in 2012.  She was proud to be part of the team that made the new hospital in Woodstock a reality.  During her retirement, she traveled extensively, volunteered on several community boards, loved spending time catching up with friends, and cherished every moment she had with her grandchildren.

Special thanks to Dr. Karen Fryer, the staff at Woodstock Hospital, and the nurses and volunteers at Sakura House for their caring and support.

Friends may call at the Brock & Visser Funeral Home, 845 Devonshire Ave., Woodstock (519-539-0004) on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm where the funeral service will be held in the chapel on Thursday at 11:00 am. The service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend.  Interment to follow in Memory Gardens, Breslau. Contributions to the Woodstock Hospital Foundation, The Canadian Cancer Society, or Sakura House would be appreciated.