KAREN SUE SCHMIDT GORINI
January 16, 1940 ~ August 5, 2009
Karen passed peacefully from this world the way she wanted: in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by loved ones, cats and beautiful flowers, with big band swing and jazz playing softly behind her.
Karen was raised in Aberdeen, Washington by WSU golden grads, Kay and Aubrey Schmidt. Her early years were filled with music - mom had a strong set of pipes, and dad taught music, led a jazz band, and later owned a music store where Karen loved working, spinning 45's, being the first to hold a new release, and hanging the latest band posters in the display windows.
After graduating with a BA degree in sociology from WSU- Pullman, she headed Regents Hill dormitory for one year, then moved to Seattle to become assistant director of the U W campus YWCA. She also worked in New York City at the famed Settlement House (seeing Martin Luther King, Jr. speak was a highlight) and studied for a short time at UC California at Berkeley.
She met her husband in Seattle and, after a few detours, ended up in Vancouver when her spouse became a city planner. Along with raising two boys, she became an active member of numerous organizations, including ACLU, NAACP, the League of Women Voters, and the YWCA, where she served as president for two years. She also volunteered as a precinct committee officer for the local Democratic Party. A serious supporter of freedom of speech, Karen was elected twice as president of the local chapter of the ACLU.
In the mid-1980's, she was appointed "The Cheese Lady" by the Clark County commissioners. In that capacity she ran the distribution and storage of federal surplus commodities. She worked with the Port of Vancouver to create THE STOP-HUNGER WAREHOUSE (utilizing a spare port warehouse), and a local business help/agency network sprang to life with Karen's inspirational leadership. Several businesses, hundreds of volunteers, and of course, "The Cheese Lady" set up a donation-retrieval-sign up system for furniture, beds, food and more.
In an effort to support and re-elect caring elected officials, she and a handful of others created "The Committee for the Good Folks", a fundraising auction/dinner, which raised money for Democratic political candidates and incumbents who were doing good jobs for their constituents.
A warm, loving and compassionate community leader, she was awarded the YWCA/Clark College Woman of Achievement honor in 1987. She played a role in numerous other boards, campaigns and volunteering projects, far too many to mention.
Karen completed her work career after 20 years as a Children's and Family Services Social Worker, where she was also a Shop Steward for AFSME/WFSE local 313. She embodied the ideals and ethics of the profession. She became ill not long after.
She loved people and knowing what everyone was up to. She liked good gossip, gardening, mystery novels, jazz music, liberal causes and local politics. When she was healthy, she most loved helping people, and her empathy for others guided most of the decisions in her life.
Those lucky enough to know Karen had a loyal friend who
listened without judgment, cared without prejudice, and always put their needs ahead of hers. And she was the best mother any child could have ever hoped for. She will be greatly missed.
Karen is survived by her sons, Tony and Nick; granddaughters, Isabella Maria and Lucia Karen; daughter-in-law Alexandra; sister, Gretchen; brother, Steve; nieces, nephews, in-laws, good friends, and numerous people who directly or indirectly benefited from Karen's wisdom, friendship and tireless dedication to helping others less fortunate than herself.
An open house at Karen's home to celebrate her life will be held on Thursday, August 20th, 2009, from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. For more information or directions, email the family at [email protected].
Remembrances in Karen's name may be made to the League of Women Voters, ACLU, NAACP, YWCA or the Democratic Party.
January 16, 1940 ~ August 5, 2009
Karen passed peacefully from this world the way she wanted: in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by loved ones, cats and beautiful flowers, with big band swing and jazz playing softly behind her.
Karen was raised in Aberdeen, Washington by WSU golden grads, Kay and Aubrey Schmidt. Her early years were filled with music - mom had a strong set of pipes, and dad taught music, led a jazz band, and later owned a music store where Karen loved working, spinning 45's, being the first to hold a new release, and hanging the latest band posters in the display windows.
After graduating with a BA degree in sociology from WSU- Pullman, she headed Regents Hill dormitory for one year, then moved to Seattle to become assistant director of the U W campus YWCA. She also worked in New York City at the famed Settlement House (seeing Martin Luther King, Jr. speak was a highlight) and studied for a short time at UC California at Berkeley.
She met her husband in Seattle and, after a few detours, ended up in Vancouver when her spouse became a city planner. Along with raising two boys, she became an active member of numerous organizations, including ACLU, NAACP, the League of Women Voters, and the YWCA, where she served as president for two years. She also volunteered as a precinct committee officer for the local Democratic Party. A serious supporter of freedom of speech, Karen was elected twice as president of the local chapter of the ACLU.
In the mid-1980's, she was appointed "The Cheese Lady" by the Clark County commissioners. In that capacity she ran the distribution and storage of federal surplus commodities. She worked with the Port of Vancouver to create THE STOP-HUNGER WAREHOUSE (utilizing a spare port warehouse), and a local business help/agency network sprang to life with Karen's inspirational leadership. Several businesses, hundreds of volunteers, and of course, "The Cheese Lady" set up a donation-retrieval-sign up system for furniture, beds, food and more.
In an effort to support and re-elect caring elected officials, she and a handful of others created "The Committee for the Good Folks", a fundraising auction/dinner, which raised money for Democratic political candidates and incumbents who were doing good jobs for their constituents.
A warm, loving and compassionate community leader, she was awarded the YWCA/Clark College Woman of Achievement honor in 1987. She played a role in numerous other boards, campaigns and volunteering projects, far too many to mention.
Karen completed her work career after 20 years as a Children's and Family Services Social Worker, where she was also a Shop Steward for AFSME/WFSE local 313. She embodied the ideals and ethics of the profession. She became ill not long after.
She loved people and knowing what everyone was up to. She liked good gossip, gardening, mystery novels, jazz music, liberal causes and local politics. When she was healthy, she most loved helping people, and her empathy for others guided most of the decisions in her life.
Those lucky enough to know Karen had a loyal friend who
listened without judgment, cared without prejudice, and always put their needs ahead of hers. And she was the best mother any child could have ever hoped for. She will be greatly missed.
Karen is survived by her sons, Tony and Nick; granddaughters, Isabella Maria and Lucia Karen; daughter-in-law Alexandra; sister, Gretchen; brother, Steve; nieces, nephews, in-laws, good friends, and numerous people who directly or indirectly benefited from Karen's wisdom, friendship and tireless dedication to helping others less fortunate than herself.
An open house at Karen's home to celebrate her life will be held on Thursday, August 20th, 2009, from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. For more information or directions, email the family at [email protected].
Remembrances in Karen's name may be made to the League of Women Voters, ACLU, NAACP, YWCA or the Democratic Party.
KAREN SUE SCHMIDT GORINI
January 16, 1940 ~ August 5, 2009
Karen passed peacefully from this world the way she wanted: in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by loved ones, cats and beautiful flowers, with big band swing and jazz playing softly behind her.
Karen was raised in Aberdeen, Washington by WSU golden grads, Kay and Aubrey Schmidt. Her early years were filled with music - mom had a strong set of pipes, and dad taught music, led a jazz band, and later owned a music store where Karen loved working, spinning 45's, being the first to hold a new release, and hanging the latest band posters in the display windows.
After graduating with a BA degree in sociology from WSU- Pullman, she headed Regents Hill dormitory for one year, then moved to Seattle to become assistant director of the U W campus YWCA. She also worked in New York City at the famed Settlement House (seeing Martin Luther King, Jr. speak was a highlight) and studied for a short time at UC California at Berkeley.
She met her husband in Seattle and, after a few detours, ended up in Vancouver when her spouse became a city planner. Along with raising two boys, she became an active member of numerous organizations, including ACLU, NAACP, the League of Women Voters, and the YWCA, where she served as president for two years. She also volunteered as a precinct committee officer for the local Democratic Party. A serious supporter of freedom of speech, Karen was elected twice as president of the local chapter of the ACLU.
In the mid-1980's, she was appointed "The Cheese Lady" by the Clark County commissioners. In that capacity she ran the distribution and storage of federal surplus commodities. She worked with the Port of Vancouver to create THE STOP-HUNGER WAREHOUSE (utilizing a spare port warehouse), and a local business help/agency network sprang to life with Karen's inspirational leadership. Several businesses, hundreds of volunteers, and of course, "The Cheese Lady" set up a donation-retrieval-sign up system for furniture, beds, food and more.
In an effort to support and re-elect caring elected officials, she and a handful of others created "The Committee for the Good Folks", a fundraising auction/dinner, which raised money for Democratic political candidates and incumbents who were doing good jobs for their constituents.
A warm, loving and compassionate community leader, she was awarded the YWCA/Clark College Woman of Achievement honor in 1987. She played a role in numerous other boards, campaigns and volunteering projects, far too many to mention.
Karen completed her work career after 20 years as a Children's and Family Services Social Worker, where she was also a Shop Steward for AFSME/WFSE local 313. She embodied the ideals and ethics of the profession. She became ill not long after.
She loved people and knowing what everyone was up to. She liked good gossip, gardening, mystery novels, jazz music, liberal causes and local politics. When she was healthy, she most loved helping people, and her empathy for others guided most of the decisions in her life.
Those lucky enough to know Karen had a loyal friend who
listened without judgment, cared without prejudice, and always put their needs ahead of hers. And she was the best mother any child could have ever hoped for. She will be greatly missed.
Karen is survived by her sons, Tony and Nick; granddaughters, Isabella Maria and Lucia Karen; daughter-in-law Alexandra; sister, Gretchen; brother, Steve; nieces, nephews, in-laws, good friends, and numerous people who directly or indirectly benefited from Karen's wisdom, friendship and tireless dedication to helping others less fortunate than herself.
An open house at Karen's home to celebrate her life will be held on Thursday, August 20th, 2009, from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. For more information or directions, email the family at [email protected].
Remembrances in Karen's name may be made to the League of Women Voters, ACLU, NAACP, YWCA or the Democratic Party.
January 16, 1940 ~ August 5, 2009
Karen passed peacefully from this world the way she wanted: in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by loved ones, cats and beautiful flowers, with big band swing and jazz playing softly behind her.
Karen was raised in Aberdeen, Washington by WSU golden grads, Kay and Aubrey Schmidt. Her early years were filled with music - mom had a strong set of pipes, and dad taught music, led a jazz band, and later owned a music store where Karen loved working, spinning 45's, being the first to hold a new release, and hanging the latest band posters in the display windows.
After graduating with a BA degree in sociology from WSU- Pullman, she headed Regents Hill dormitory for one year, then moved to Seattle to become assistant director of the U W campus YWCA. She also worked in New York City at the famed Settlement House (seeing Martin Luther King, Jr. speak was a highlight) and studied for a short time at UC California at Berkeley.
She met her husband in Seattle and, after a few detours, ended up in Vancouver when her spouse became a city planner. Along with raising two boys, she became an active member of numerous organizations, including ACLU, NAACP, the League of Women Voters, and the YWCA, where she served as president for two years. She also volunteered as a precinct committee officer for the local Democratic Party. A serious supporter of freedom of speech, Karen was elected twice as president of the local chapter of the ACLU.
In the mid-1980's, she was appointed "The Cheese Lady" by the Clark County commissioners. In that capacity she ran the distribution and storage of federal surplus commodities. She worked with the Port of Vancouver to create THE STOP-HUNGER WAREHOUSE (utilizing a spare port warehouse), and a local business help/agency network sprang to life with Karen's inspirational leadership. Several businesses, hundreds of volunteers, and of course, "The Cheese Lady" set up a donation-retrieval-sign up system for furniture, beds, food and more.
In an effort to support and re-elect caring elected officials, she and a handful of others created "The Committee for the Good Folks", a fundraising auction/dinner, which raised money for Democratic political candidates and incumbents who were doing good jobs for their constituents.
A warm, loving and compassionate community leader, she was awarded the YWCA/Clark College Woman of Achievement honor in 1987. She played a role in numerous other boards, campaigns and volunteering projects, far too many to mention.
Karen completed her work career after 20 years as a Children's and Family Services Social Worker, where she was also a Shop Steward for AFSME/WFSE local 313. She embodied the ideals and ethics of the profession. She became ill not long after.
She loved people and knowing what everyone was up to. She liked good gossip, gardening, mystery novels, jazz music, liberal causes and local politics. When she was healthy, she most loved helping people, and her empathy for others guided most of the decisions in her life.
Those lucky enough to know Karen had a loyal friend who
listened without judgment, cared without prejudice, and always put their needs ahead of hers. And she was the best mother any child could have ever hoped for. She will be greatly missed.
Karen is survived by her sons, Tony and Nick; granddaughters, Isabella Maria and Lucia Karen; daughter-in-law Alexandra; sister, Gretchen; brother, Steve; nieces, nephews, in-laws, good friends, and numerous people who directly or indirectly benefited from Karen's wisdom, friendship and tireless dedication to helping others less fortunate than herself.
An open house at Karen's home to celebrate her life will be held on Thursday, August 20th, 2009, from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. For more information or directions, email the family at [email protected].
Remembrances in Karen's name may be made to the League of Women Voters, ACLU, NAACP, YWCA or the Democratic Party.
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