Karen L. Gainey

Karen L. Gainey, age 66, passed away peacefully in Forest Grove, Oregon on January 27,
2019 surrounded by her family.
Karen was born in Walla Walla, Washington to Harry and Illene (Johnson) Shaffer. Her
parents later moved to the Oregon City, Oregon area where they raised Karen and her
three siblings. She attended Jennings Lodge Grade School where many lifelong
friendships developed.
Karen adored her husband, Dave. They met while in eighth grade at Ogden Junior High,
and graduated together from Oregon City High School in 1971. Karen often said that the
first time she saw Dave walking in the main hall at Ogden she knew he was the guy for
her. The couple wed in 1973 and moved to Forest Grove while Dave finished college at
Pacific University. In 1976, Karen and Dave moved to Hillsboro where they raised two
daughters, Kristin and Kimberly. Karen spent endless hours watching Dave coach and
being one of the team moms for Kristin and Kim’s basketball and softball teams when
they were young. Karen and Dave transitioned to fans as the girls played sports in high
school and college. Karen also was a supporter of all the junior high and high school
baseball and basketball teams that Dave coached over the years. Although much of their
time was spent watching sports, they also enjoyed going to the movies, casino trips
(Karen always seemed to come away a winner), and drives where they enjoyed the
beautiful Pacific Northwest landscape. Karen especially loved the Oregon Coast and
listening to the waves hit the sand. During their fifty-three years together, Dave and
Karen made many wonderful memories.
Karen absolutely loved being a mother to her two girls and a motherly figure to many of
their friends and teammates. She strove to be the mom that any child would feel
comfortable talking to about anything. Karen treasured having her kids and their friends
in the house for slumber parties, team dinners, and before and after school functions. She
took every opportunity to tell anyone who would listen how proud she was of both her
daughters and son-in-law, Ryan.
Karen’s professional life was spent in the healthcare and education fields working for
Oregon City Hospital, Tuality Community Hospital, and various medical clinics in the
Forest Grove and Hillsboro areas. In 1998, Karen went to work for Pacific University in
their School of Professional Psychology. Although she enjoyed the interactions with all
of her coworkers and clients, she especially enjoyed her work with the students at Pacific.
Karen provided open arms and support to all students. Many students in this program
were from out of state and Karen found her niche in connecting with them during their
rigorous schooling. Karen retired in 2014 and spent as much time as possible working on
a variety of craft projects. She especially enjoyed scrapbooking, making squash book
picture albums, knitting hats and scarves for those in need, creating greeting cards, and
making gifts for the Century High School girls basketball team where Dave is the head
coach.
Karen was selfless, loving, beautiful, funny, creative and empathetic. She touched
everyone she met with her kindness, grace, and caring nature.
Her passing has left a hole in many hearts, both within her family and in the community.
Karen was a much loved wife, mother, daughter, and sister who will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her father Harry, sister Karla, and brother Bill. She is
survived by her husband of 45 years, Dave; her daughters Kristin and Kim; son-in-law
Ryan; and brother Terry.
A celebration of Karen’s life will be held from 1-4pm Sunday, May 19, 2019 in the
Century High School commons, 2000 SE Century Boulevard, Hillsboro, Oregon.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the
Oregon Humane Society to honor Karen’s love of children and animals.