Karen REMETIS Obituary

Thank you dear Karen for the aroha and drive you showed when working with us in the Tokoroa community arts space. It was an honour to know you. Moe mai ra with love to your whaanau from Leafa, Tatou Va Space and Creative Waikato. Pictured is Karen at her farewell hugging Sonnett Olls of 'Art Gives Wings' Gallery, Tokoroa. Photo by Leafa Wilson

Matamata Women's Club Committee members offer their sympathy to Karen's family. She was an active member of our club and we enjoyed her spark and conversation at our monthly dinner meetings. Karen will be mssed by many in the community.

I first met Karen several years ago but I got to know her and saw her much more often when she shifted to Matamata to live. She was a very determined woman and did her utmost to make a success of any venture she undertook. She has gone far too soon. My condolences to her family and friends.

Karen was a member of the Matamata Women's Club. I always enjoyed catching up with her, hearing about her interesting work, and having conversations about important issues. She gave us a talk about her work as an urban geographer and obviously made a difference in many ways. Condolences to all her family. Karen was such a bright spark, a doer and so alive. I was looking forward to getting to know her more. Such sorrow in her departure. Kindest regards, Sandra Clark

Karen was a strong, honest, funny and direct woman, and although I didn't know her very well, I always enjoyed the conversations we had here in the Hub in Tokoroa. She was so committed to her role in developing the TBI here in Tokoroa, and would often be here in town on her own time, making connections with people, dropping in to say hi. Over the months that I got to know her better I learned about her love of horses, her compassion for animals, her passion for community and town centre projects. I feel sad that she is gone too soon.

Karen was a wonderful supporter of mine in Mt Albert for many years. In more recent years, I came to know her as a passionate supporter of local and regional economic development. I met Karen in Matamata in the past couple of years where she had resettled. Karen will be greatly missed - she has been taken from us far too soon. Sincere condolences to family. Rt Hon Helen Clark.

Karen will be remembered by me as an enthusiastic, creative and energetic woman who was always positive. Rest in Peace Karen, you will be missed.