Karen Shafer Kennedy

April 1, 1952 - February 26, 2017

Karen Lynn Shafer Kennedy of Ballwin, MO. passed away February 26th, 2017 peacefully in her home, while in the presence of her Husband and Son, on Sunday, Feb. 26th, 2017, after courageously fighting a ten year battle with cancer. Karen was born on April 1, 1952 in Camillus, NY to Melvin and Winifred (Hadfield) Shafer. She graduated from WG in 1970 and received her BA from Buffalo State in 1974 and her L.D.T.C./MA from Montclair State in 1981. Karen worked as a Special Education Teacher & Advocate for 32 years for West Parkway High School in Ballwin, MO. Her family was a long time member of Fairmount Community Church in Camillus, NY. She is survived by her husband of 19 years, Daniel Keith Kennedy, a son, Brendan P. Moore of Carmel, IN; a brother Robert M. (France) Shafer and nephews Derek and Colin of Canada; cousins Barb (Sam) Parsons of Camillus and Cindy Hadfield of W. Palm Beach, FL. Karen's favorite place was Skaneateles, where as a child she spent much time with her family. She was a majorette in HS and involved in many activities. Family was THE most important thing to her in life and returned often to Camillus to rekindle her spirit and wonderful memories of where she grew up. Calling hours will be Tuesday, March 7, from 4-8 pm at B.L. Bush & Sons Funeral Home, 10 Genesee St., in village of Camillus. Services will be Wed., at 10:30 a.m., at funeral home. Burial will be in Greelawn Cemetery, Warners In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Presbyterian Children's Homes & Services of MO. 1220 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO. 63132. 1-800-383-8147 www.missouri.pchas.orgd 501©3 charitable organization Fed ID: 43-1699263 Please sign the guestbook at www.BLBUSH.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TRANSITION Heaven and earth are not so far apart… they are but separated by a thin veil, a shadow of life, between what we are and what we are meant to become. Destined, beyond knowledge, we are all called back to God, our Father, He, who removes us from our earthen form. We each depart, prepared or not, at our appointed time, without apology, reason or perhaps even a final goodbye … and those of us left stranded grope to make sense of confusion…doubt…loneliness…fear…grief. But those who have left are not gone at all … they have but crossed over into a new and brighter light, brilliant and eternal, one which our mortal eyes cannot see, our earthen shell cannot feel, but, one by which we can be comforted. It is the transition from life to light … to Love; pure, holy and unspotted. A love where there is absence of pain, where affections will never again be tested or marred, where tears, ills, sorrow and death exist no more. It is the celestial celebration to which each spirit longs to journey, to witness God's glory, and to bathe in His everlasting joy and strength, surrounded by the clear and peaceful knowledge they are truly home at last. © 1994 Keith Kennedy