Karen Lynne Meckley's Obituary
“Because I have been given much, I too must give” Hymns Pg. 219
Karen Lynne Bales Meckley strong and always selfless, returned home to her Heavenly Father on November 20, 2022 at the age of 68, she’s the oldest daughter of three girls to Robert F. Bales and Jo Ann Butt Bales.
She was born in Norfolk, VA where she and her parents lived with Grandma and Grandpa Butt for the first 5 years of her life. Her family relocated to Falls Church, VA where she would complete all of her years of schooling and graduate from Falls Church High in 1972. Falls Church is a special place, it’s where she attended the local Baptist Church, sang in the choir and found her love for music, she babysat for neighbors and worked at McDonalds when she turned sixteen, and we can’t forgot this is where she met the boy next door, we’ll call him; her one true love and soul mate.
Karen and JR met in 1970, the boy next door was smitten and it was definitely love at first sight. Their friendship/courtship continued throughout high school and on July 19, 1972 they married. She was introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by JR and his family, in 1973 Karen chose to be baptized. She and her true love were sealed in the Washington DC Temple on February 1, 1975.
The couple followed the Meckley family to Utah in October 1975, this is where they grew roots and became Utahans, and this is also where they started a family, a daughter and two sons. Living in Salt Lake County for nearly 50 years, she and JR lived in East Millcreek before moving to Taylorsville, Magna and finally landing in West Valley City where they bought Karen’s dream home.
Karen attended SLCC for 5 years while raising her children and working full-time. In 1995 she graduated with two Associates degrees one in Applied Science and the other in Paralegal Studies.
One talented Momma, learning to sew her own clothing and that of her children’s, crocheting blankets and baby afghans, designing and sewing wedding dresses (her daughters), a blessing dress and Baptism dress (her granddaughters), and countless Halloween costumes, an excellent book keeper, finder and purchaser of the coolest Amazon items, her love for reading, loving the color purple and if she had the opportunity to eat out, she did. Her newest obsession was Cup Bop.
Karen was optimistic and faithful. In August 1998 she was diagnosed with Renal Cell Carcinoma. She underwent the 1st of many surgeries to remove the cancer filled left kidney. As the cancer spread to other renal areas of her body, the doctors were able to remove the cancer with surgery multiple times. In 2011 she started taking her 1st oral Chemo medication, and throughout this 24 year battle; she took countless medications to aide in slowing the cancer progression. In April 2021 she decided to stop taking medication that slowed the progression, she wanted to live her life with quality.
Karen loves serving and loves the Lord. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints she had many opportunities to serve and felt blessed to serve as Activity Day Leader for 5 years having countless girls in her home loving them no matter their circumstance, a Sunday school teacher, Young Women Advisor and Secretary, and her most favorite was working in the Primary as a teacher, Nursery Leader and in the Presidency.
Karen’s selfless love and affection was felt by all around her. As we count down the days until we meet again are; Her soul mate, JR Meckley; those who call her “Mom” Jen & Matt Warkentine, Brandon & JaKell Meckley, Jeff Meckley. Those precious treasures that call her “Grandma or Granny”, Gillian, CamRee, Emery, Tryen, Brynn, Hadi, Isaac, Kanyon, her great-grandson Tommy, and many sweet “grandfriends”. The ones that call her “KK”, Ginny Liakos and Evie Stern, and those that call her “Sister-in-law” Ella (Jerry) Reese, Carol Galentine, Julia Quintero, Jay (Natalie) Meckley, Cameron (Jae Lynne) Meckley, and many who call her “Aunt, Cousin, and Friend”
Welcoming her back home are her parents, Robert F. Bales & Jo Ann Bales, her parents-in-law, Elwood H. Meckley Sr & Camilla Meckley; and her brother-in-law Terry Galentine.
Memorial Services will be Saturday December 10, 2022, at 11:00 AM. Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Chapel located at 4634 W Harman Dr (3700 S) in West Valley City, UT.
The family would like to express special thanks to Karen’s doctor, PA and nurses with Utah Cancer Specialists who helped her fight the good fight. Thanks to Wasatch Dialysis Center, IHC medical facilities, Canyon Hospice, Premier Funeral Services, the Harman Ward and the wonderful people that cared for our Mom and wife. We feel so blessed.
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