Karen Ann Smith

Karen Ann Smith, age 68, died peacefully with her daughters by her side on July 20, 2022 after a 2 ½ year battle with ovarian cancer.
Karen was born on July 22, 1953 in Evergreen Park, IL and grew up with her mother and father in Hometown, IL. She attended Oak Lawn Community High School where she met Donald Smith, and they were married in 1975. They raised their two daughters in their homes in Tinley Park, IL. She was a devoted pet Mom as well to many animals. In addition to being a stay-at-home mom, she worked other jobs throughout her life but especially loved working as a caregiver to children and the elderly. When she and her husband retired they began their long-time dream of becoming “snow-birds” and traveled seasonally between their homes in Tinley Park, IL and Mesa, AZ.
Besides spending time with family and friends, Karen enjoyed gardening, interior decorating and collecting beautiful bird and angel figurines. All who knew Karen described her as kind, caring, fun and loving. Without hesitation, she would take in and care for a family member or friend in need, care for others’ pets or babysit for a neighbor. She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.
Karen was preceded in death by her father Charles Miller, mother Beatrice (Dolly) Miller, uncles Jim, Marty, John, Pat and Steve, aunt Dory, and brother-in-law Dave. She is survived by her husband Don, daughter Meghan (John) Navarro, daughter Jessica McDermott, grandchildren Rosa, Matthew, Declan and Jack, niece Gina, sister-in-law Debby, many cousins and a countless number of friends.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Tuesday, July 26th from 3-8pm at Vandenberg Funeral Home at 19604 S. Wolf Road Mokena, IL 60448.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Ovarian Cancer Foundation, Alzheimer's Foundation, or to PAWS of Tinley Park, IL.