Karen Rae Deere

Karen Rae (Cunningham) Deere, 67, of Woodstock, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 after a long battle with Frontotemporal Dementia.

Karen is survived by her loving husband of more than 45 years, Ken Deere; her three daughters, Erin Fleming, Shannon Deere, and Meghan Schaap (husband Niels); her three grandchildren, Raeghan, Will, and Ward Fleming; and countless extended family and friends who will miss her every day.

A graduate of North Allegheny High School (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) in 1975 – where she was voted ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ – Karen went on to study Accounting at Grove City College in Grove City, PA. It was there, at the ripe age of 17, that she met her future husband, Ken. The two became inseparable, with Karen ensuring that Ken studied hard enough to secure his first accounting job in Pittsburgh, while she worked towards graduating a semester early so they could marry when she was 21.

After a few moves, Karen & Ken settled in Marietta, Georgia, to raise their three daughters. Karen retired early to take on the ever-important role of “Deere Family CEO”, somehow keeping the finances, schedules, and the rest of her headstrong family in line. She also found time to regularly volunteer at Our Pal’s Place, a local dog rescue organization. She was dedicated to helping pets find their forever homes - and would have adopted all herself if she could.

Karen was the queen of planning and hosting, whether it was a party, a UGA tailgate, or a vacation - and she did it all with a smile on her face. She never met a stranger, opening her doors to numerous family and friends over the years. But there was little she loved more than having her favorite people together at the family cabin in Blue Ridge, GA . Whether sitting on the deck, by the fire, or “bum floating” in the lake, depending on the season, it was truly her Happy Place.

Karen’s absence will be deeply felt by all who were touched by her kindness, especially her husband, daughters, and grandchildren. She was often the silent support system behind her family’s adventures and life decisions, and she is truly gone too soon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Karen’s name to Our Pal’s Place , the pet rescue organization where she volunteered for many years.

https://www.opp.ourpalsplace.org/in-memory-of-karen-deere/

A Celebration of Life Open House will be held at the South on Main Clubhouse (511 South Club Dr, Woodstock, GA 30188) on Sunday, November 10th, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the family sharing words and prayers around 4:00 p.m.