June 24, 1950 – September 4, 2016
Robillard, Karen Elaine (nee Simpson) – Passed away peacefully at the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice on September 4th in her 66th year. Predeceased by her parents Ralph and Alma Simpson. Survived by her companion of 19 years Wayne Peters. She will be truly missed by her family, son Matt (Shannon), grandchildren Brooklyn, Aubrey, and Colten, son Brent (Christine), grandchildren Ryan and Thomas. Survived by her brothers Bernard, David, Harry Simpson and sister Susan Mullett. Karen loved Wayne’s family as her own and will be missed by, son Brad Peters, grandchildren Alex and Owen, daughter Lisa Forster, grandchildren Madeline and Megan. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff and volunteers of the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice in Hamilton for their wonderful care and compassion. “For all my Family and Friends – Your love has filled my heart and will be my companion from this point on”. As per Karen’s wishes cremation has already taken place. A joyful celebration of Karen’s life will be held at Copetown Woods Golf Club, 1430 Concession 2 West, Copetown, Ontario L0R 1J0 on Sunday September 18th between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Please join us for a “Toast” to Karen at 2:30 p.m. Those wishing to make a donation in her memory are asked to consider the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice (www.kemphospice.org) or the YWCA Encore Program (www.ywcahamilton.org).
My friend and neighbour Karen. You will be dearly missed! You and Wayne made me feel so welcome and always opened your door to me. Our visits and texts over the past months are things I will always cherish. I was blown away by your strength and sense of humour throughout this whole situation. Even the last text which you signed with a joke and then Ha Ha Ha …K. Thanks for being my friend and making me a better person. I will miss you so much but will always smile when I think of you. We sure shared many laughs together….soul sister. Wayne and family…..thinking of you all at this sad time. xo
Wayne, we want to express our sympathy and let you know that our thoughts are with you.
Bill and Bonnie
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Robillard and Peters family at this difficult time. Karen was a wonderful person and had an amazing spirit, may she rest peace. . Love Kevin, Deb & Ashley xo
My deepest sympathies go to the Robillard Family as I know they will truly miss Gramma Karen. I have been honoured by our paths crossing again and your mentoring me in my photography. Your legacy will not only be your children and grandchildren but the many photographs taken of couples in marriage, babies, hockey legends and the list goes on. Karen will also be remembered for her imaginative adventures she loved to organize for her family. I will always remember the lovely person you are . Your kind and gentle heart brought joy into my life. “Friendship bonds two souls together”.
As a fellow photographer, I know Karen had a passion for photography and I printed many photographs for Karen of her family and friends. We always discussed photography when she would come to my home to pick up her prints. She provided advice on the art and business of photography and we talked about all kinds of things during her routine visits. Karen was a true friend and I will miss her.
Karen was such a great friend to me, we both as photographers gave each other work when one of us would already be booked. I loved our chats and dinner out once a year to catch up. I will truly miss her laugh and talks and advice. She was a true friend and gave each of us a piece of her heart that I will keep forever. My sympathy goes out to Wayne and the family.Karen will surely be missed by all.
My deepest sympathy to both the Robillard and the Peters family. Karen was one of the strongest women I knew when faced with the journey that was dealt to her. She loved you all and tried to make life for her families as easy as possible as they too faced a difficult journey. I will always remember how wonderful and caring she and Wayne were to me and my family during Ron’s illness.. only a phone call away.. and they were there. Truly good friends. She is now at peace and will suffer no more. Wayne you now being a new journey of learning to live without her. My thoughts are with you and your family always. x0x0
My deepest sympathy to both the Robillard and the Peters family. Karen was one of the strongest women I knew when faced with the journey that was dealt to her. She loved you all and tried to make life for her families as easy as possible as they too faced a difficult journey. I will always remember how wonderful and caring she and Wayne were to me and my family during Ron’s illness.. only a phone call away.. and they were there. Truly good friends. She is now at peace and will suffer no more. Wayne you are now beginning a new journey of learning to live without her. My thoughts are with you and your family always. x0x0
My thoughts and prayers are with you…Matt, Brent, Wayne and your families. Karen was a beautiful person, always doing what was best for her family. Karen and I go back many years and we cared and shared together along the journey. I admired her strength, humour and the way she looked at life. I am blessed to have had Karen for a friend. May each of you find peace within the grief and sadness at this time.
Blessings, MaryLou
Wayne, thinking of you at this very sad times,your in our thoughts and prayers..
love. Dave and Sheila.
Met you at Barney’s last year, glad I had the privilege!
The world has lost a very special person. May good memories sustain the family in the coming months.
Sincerely, Diane Fulcher
Dearest Karen
I like to share with your family an afternoon spent with you.
Two weeks prior to you leaving us I had the honour along with Cheryl and Heather to go on one of your Magical Mystery Tours, to the farm where you once lived. We meet Cesar the 1,000 lb brown bear and George the miniature horse. Even though you were weak and tired you insisted that we all go for homemade dessert and tea to the café in Flamborough. You had your favorite “Coconut Cream Pie”. As we had our desserts you shared some of your life experiences along with much laughter. Karen what a Life. Thanks for being a caring friend.
Enjoy your next Magical Mystery Tour.
Your Friend, Bonnie Jachna (Encore)
I was blessed to have Karen in my life through the Encore Program. She was always so fun, sarcastic and easy to be around. Her love for her family was second to nothing. She was so proud of all of you. Karen always knew what she wanted and was a woman of many talents. We stayed particularly close once she got the most recent diagnosis and I thank God for that every day. I miss texting you, hearing your whisper, reading your hilarious emails, right to the bitter end. Rest now my beautiful friend, but not for long as I am sure you will be on the most magical mystery tour of all now. I know the Robillard and Peter’s families have a million memories to look back upon and I am so sorry for the loss of this amazing lady. She was an inspiration to us all.
My Encore pals Cheryl and Bonnie did an incredible job of sharing some of our time spent with our awesome friend Karen. Karen never ceased to amaze us with her determination and imagination. We certainly had some wonderful times together and always laughs. Family was always on Karen’s mind, she was so proud of you all. You were all very important to her and am sure you have tons of lovely memories. An awesome lady who will be missed by all who knew her. Your friend, Heather McMillan (Encore)
Wayne, my sincere condolences to you and your family on Karen’s passing. My thoughts are with you and your during this difficult time.
Wally
My sincere condolences, Wayne, to you and your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Glad you had that extra time with her. Love Jackie and Norm Sexton
My deepest condolences to Wayne and all the families of my friend and co-worker Karen. She had a great zest for life, to learn and compete as best she could. May she now rest in peace.
My deepest condolences to Wayne and the families of my friend and former co-worker Karen. May she finally rest in peace. Always remembered, never forgotten.
Our sincere condolences to you Wayne and to your family. You and Karen were always so kind when I came to visit mom and dad. Karen took such beautiful pictures of our family. Thinking of you and your family during the sad time. XO
I can’t begin to express my feelings of loss for such a wonderful friend. Despite a 30 year age difference – you would literally never know. Karen, you could probably drink me under the table and you were always eager to set me up on dates in my 20s 🙂 You were there for every special moment in the last 15 years of my life – my engagement, my wedding, the birth of all 3 of my kids. I can’t pass my hallway lined with amazing snapshots you captured, each of a special time in my life, without immediately thinking of you. You were strong and caring and charismatic and you never let anything stand in your way. This last year I got the opportunity to see your strength and bravery. I was honoured and privileged to sit with you in your last weeks and hold hands and share funny stories and watch you smile. You will be in my heart always. The cycle continues as Brooklyn and Sofia now share the bond we were so lucky to have. May it continue for years to come. My sincerest condolensces to your family. May they find every comfort in the happy memories they shared with you along the way. Thinking of you all. xo
I’ve loved reading through these comments… Karen certainly touched a great many lives. Such a strong yet caring and compassionate person… she always thought of others even in the manner that she carried out her final days. Her talents were endless and her enthusiasm was truly motivating. Wonderful memories Karen, thank you. We’ll miss you at girls’ night out!
Wayne – my sincere sympathy on the passing of your best friend and life partner, Karen. I know how difficult it is to deal with the side effects of the this dreadful disease but as I understood from our many brief conversations, Karen handled her journey with great courage and judging by the comments above, with great humour. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.
Wayne, we would to like to give you and family our sincere condolences on your loss, our thoughts are with you.
Ed & Judy Herman
Dear Wayne,
My heart aches for you. The Bob Kemp Hospice is certainly a special place. Your dear Karen, I’m sure, was treated with such care and love as my John was 2 years ago. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Nancy Rundle
Our deepest condolences go out to Matt, Shannon, Brooklyn, Aubrey & Colten as well as Brent, Christine, Ryan, Tommy and Wayne. Karen was a wonderful lady and we will never forget her…Love Mike, Heather & Jack.
Dear Wayne,
The Barclay’s are unable to join in the celebration of Karen’s life tomorrow afternoon. However; we will certainly be there in spirit. Our thoughts have been with you and your extended family the last few months. It is not easy to say good bye to the love of our lives. The memories are what will help sustain all of us.
It was wonderful to see you back at HGCC last week with that nice welcoming smile on your face.
With our deepest sympathy.
Jim and Cathy
Dear Karen , what a wonderful loving person you are . We go back a long way to school and the fun we had , lost contact but found each other again . You where such a kind , strong adventurist lady . Glad I got to see u before you left us at the farm ,I will remember your smile and strength the most . Carry on dear friend and may you be at peace and free from pain . To the Peters and Robillard and Simpson family”s may your memories bring you peace and happiness knowing Karen is not suffering any more and she will be waiting for the next member to join her in Heaven . R I P Love Stan and Sue Kobylinski
Dear Wayne
We were so sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. She was always so kind and fun to be around and talk to. We will see you tomorrow at the celebration of her life, and we will be thinking of you and both of your families during this difficult time, take care
Les and Norma
Aunt Karen left a lasting impression on those she came across, lucky were those that got to share a moment with her. Condolence to Wayne, Matt and Brent and to her bothers and sister and those that loved her. The celebration was beautiful.
Dear Wayne & family,
While we have spoken briefly about your loss of Karen I wanted to share a personal thought. The loss you have suffered is traumatic and the next few months will be of many thoughts. You will remember the recent emotions you have gone through and the period around the passing. In months and years to come the memory will be of happy times together and the great joys you shared together. It is over 45 years since I lost my mother to the same disease and not a day passes I don’t think of her. Remember the good times you shared and it will bring a smile. My deepest sympathy in your loss.
Al
Wayne , so sorry to hear of the loss of Karen. Our thoughts are with You and Your Family. Heather and Don Sneyd
Well my dear sister, I have made it home to BC after your fabulous “Celebration of Life”. You did a wonderful job, and all the pictures and props looked great! The girls did a fantastic job with a slide show presentation, and I jokingly said “if I had a pointer I could narrate it”. Carol Anne also made it from Campbell River, so I was happy about that. Steve and Fay came in from Meaford, and Wayne’s son Brad drove in from Chicago. (I think he likes to drive as much I do} …. I am sure there were a lot more travelers as the facility was full to capacity. In fact, I was told it was over-capacitated, and that the fire department could have shut it down !!!
I saw Lynda and Rick Tews as I arrived and thanked her for all the help and time she spent with you, (we both had tears). I also got a chance to thank Shannon, Christine, Lisa and Marilyn with the microphone, (ya me, the speech maker, ha-ha). I also made mention and thanked all the gals you took to Niagara-on-the-Lake, but on thinking later, should have hauled them all up front with me and Introduced them all. On leaving Copetown Woods, I found your headstone at the cemetery, it looks great. Matte said you will find your final resting place on your birthday June 24/2017. That is an easy date for me to remember Karen, as you know. it is my oldest grandson’s birthdate as well. Rest in peace my lovely sister. Love from Barney, Paula, Aimee and all the kids. xoxox
Wayne and Brent, very sorry for your loss. Wishing you both our heartfelt wishes..