Karen Louise (Newton) Lacroix

Karen was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Kenneth and Lorraine Ross. After the death of her mother when she was only 7 years old, her father eventually remarried and Dorothy became her stepmother. She was sister to Connie; stepsister Bobbie (deceased); and her stepbrothers Richard and Jeff.

She came to California when she was just a child and is where she lived the rest of her life. She attended 3 different high schools but graduated from Corona Del Mar in 1967. She attended some classes at Orange Coast College.

Karen married her children’s father, Richard Newton in 1968 and was married for nearly 30 years. In 2015 she married Archie Lacroix and happily lived with him for the past 4 years in Hemet, where she met and made many wonderful friends. She deeply loved Archie and her life in Hemet.

Karen had 3 children: Debbie, Darlene & David; and 3 grandchildren: Nathan, Jacob & Nicole: all of whom she loved with all of her heart and played an active role in their lives. She was deeply devoted to her children, grandchildren, and son-in-law’s Glenn & David.

Karen sacrificed so much for her children, grandchildren and son-in-laws in their day to day lives and was always present when they were coping with medical issues or other challenges. She could always be counted on for support when she was needed. Words cannot capture the level of love she demonstrated on a daily basis for her family and friends.

Her most endearing quality, of course, was her love and faith in the Lord Jesus. Karen had been a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church since its inception and was the music Director for approximately 35 years. She attended several masses each week as a result of her various ministry involvements. She was a devoted Catholic Christian and consistently demonstrated her love for the Lord through her various ministries and in the way she cared about others. She was always that person you could call if you wanted to chat, needed a shoulder to cry on or have a hearty laugh.

Karen enjoyed lawn bowling, playing cards, bocce ball, game shows, going to the movies; was an avid sports fan: particularly the Angels, Kings. Lakers, and Rams. She despised pineapple and coconuts and her favorite color was yellow.

At the time of her passing, Karen was healthy and happy but was called to join our Lord and Savior in heaven on August 21 ^st as a result of complications due to a minor surgery.

She was overwhelmingly loved by her husband, family, church, friends and all who knew her. She will be deeply, deeply missed.

Karen’s memorial mass and celebration of life will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church on Saturday, September 7 at 11:00am. If you would like to send flowers, please deliver them to St. John Neumann Catholic Church by 10:00am on September 7 ^th .

In lieu of flowers, you may kindly make a donation in Karen’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at www.stjude.org .

Reception to immediately follow the memorial service in the parish hall.

Burial will be private.