Obituary for Karen Elisabeth Henry
Karen Elisabeth Henry
October 11, 1946 - July 14, 2021
Karen was born to Warnes and Irma Parker in San Diego. She was their third born of four and their only daughter. Irma remarried Raymond Young in Karen’s early years. Initially raised in Bay Park where her family owned and operated Green Thumb Nursery, Karen began school at Bay Park Elementary and was so influenced by her kindergarten teacher that she also decided to become a teacher.
In 1958, her family moved to Lakeside where she attended Lakeside Farms Elementary, Lakeside Jr. High, and finally graduated from El Capitan High School. In 1960, Karen met Paul Henry at the Presbyterian church youth group and their friendship continued through her high school years. Karen loved music, played piano, and was in choir and flag corp. After graduating from El Capitan High School in 1964, she continued her education at San Diego State University where she majored in English and minored in music. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in 1969 and continued on to receive her teaching credential in January 1970. She would soon after realize her life’s ambition when she was hired in the Spring of 1970 to teach second grade at River View Elementary. The good fortune of 1970 continued when Karen and Paul were married on August 8th. A few years later, Paul and Karen moved to Eucalyptus Hills near Karen’s family home where they lived continuously for 45 years. In August of 2020, Karen and Paul marked their 50th wedding anniversary with their friends and family celebrating them in a car parade.
Karen was a beloved and dedicated teacher to all of her students for over 36 years. She retired in September 2006 from the Lakeside Union School District. She spent her retirement with Paul sharing a passion for cooking, music, their dogs, plants and traveling the west extensively by car.
Karen was preceded in death by her mother Irma Young, father Warnes Parker, stepfather Raymond Young and her brother Thomas Parker. She is survived by her husband Paul, her brothers Charles and Stephen, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 23rd at 10:30am (viewing) and 11:00am (service) at the East County Mortuary located at 374 N. Magnolia Ave, El Cajon. The burial service will follow and will be held at 1pm at Singing Hills Memorial Park, located at 2800 Dehesa Rd., El Cajon. Please join us at the celebration of life immediately following the burial service. This will be located across the street at Singing Hills Golf Resort located at 3007 Dehesa Rd., El Cajon.
October 11, 1946 - July 14, 2021
Karen was born to Warnes and Irma Parker in San Diego. She was their third born of four and their only daughter. Irma remarried Raymond Young in Karen’s early years. Initially raised in Bay Park where her family owned and operated Green Thumb Nursery, Karen began school at Bay Park Elementary and was so influenced by her kindergarten teacher that she also decided to become a teacher.
In 1958, her family moved to Lakeside where she attended Lakeside Farms Elementary, Lakeside Jr. High, and finally graduated from El Capitan High School. In 1960, Karen met Paul Henry at the Presbyterian church youth group and their friendship continued through her high school years. Karen loved music, played piano, and was in choir and flag corp. After graduating from El Capitan High School in 1964, she continued her education at San Diego State University where she majored in English and minored in music. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in 1969 and continued on to receive her teaching credential in January 1970. She would soon after realize her life’s ambition when she was hired in the Spring of 1970 to teach second grade at River View Elementary. The good fortune of 1970 continued when Karen and Paul were married on August 8th. A few years later, Paul and Karen moved to Eucalyptus Hills near Karen’s family home where they lived continuously for 45 years. In August of 2020, Karen and Paul marked their 50th wedding anniversary with their friends and family celebrating them in a car parade.
Karen was a beloved and dedicated teacher to all of her students for over 36 years. She retired in September 2006 from the Lakeside Union School District. She spent her retirement with Paul sharing a passion for cooking, music, their dogs, plants and traveling the west extensively by car.
Karen was preceded in death by her mother Irma Young, father Warnes Parker, stepfather Raymond Young and her brother Thomas Parker. She is survived by her husband Paul, her brothers Charles and Stephen, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 23rd at 10:30am (viewing) and 11:00am (service) at the East County Mortuary located at 374 N. Magnolia Ave, El Cajon. The burial service will follow and will be held at 1pm at Singing Hills Memorial Park, located at 2800 Dehesa Rd., El Cajon. Please join us at the celebration of life immediately following the burial service. This will be located across the street at Singing Hills Golf Resort located at 3007 Dehesa Rd., El Cajon.