TINGLEY, Karen Dale, age 69, formerly of St. Albert, Alberta passed away Friday, March 18, 2022.
Karen was a graduate of Cleveland State University where she received her Masters in Business
Administration in 2010. Karen’s secondary studies began in 1985 when she enrolled part time at
Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She completed her BSc. in Psychology in 1994
and completed her Green Belt Training in Process Improvement when she moved to Alberta in 2012.
In 1993 Karen met George Randt, MD, while vacationing in Florida. They married in Halifax in
November of 1994, and Karen moved to Bay Village, Ohio shortly thereafter. During her first years
in Ohio, Karen worked with George at his private practice, embraced new friendships, completed
her BSc, and provided loving care for her father-in-law. During this time, she also encouraged and
provided loving support to her youngest daughter (Nicki) as she integrated into the American high
school system and continued to be a beacon of inspiration and guidance to her oldest daughter
(Kelly) as she continued University in Canada. It was also during this time that Karen formed a deep
maternal love and lifelong relationship with her two stepchildren, Jennifer Randt and William Randt.
In 2000 Karen accepted a position at the Cleveland University Hospital where she worked for Kaiser
Permanente in the field of Training and Education. In the years to follow, Karen continued to nurture
the strong family bonds she had with relatives in New Brunswick, cherished friendships formed in
Nova Scotia, and celebrated new friendships in Ohio as well. During this time, she ran her first full
marathon at Disneyworld, participated in a spur-of-the-moment duathlon (where she placed first
in her age group) and embarked on many hiking, kayaking, cross country skiing and camping trips
(both summer and winter) with George and in later years, their dog Charlie as well. In 2004, Karen
embarked on a new role as “Nana” after the birth of her granddaughter Madison (Kelly & Billy Fielder)
and again in 2006 with grandson Ira (Nicki & Marc Prince) and her youngest granddaughter Marleigh in
2008 (Kelly & Billy Fielder). Karen was a doting Nana to her grandchildren, each of whom endearingly
referred to her as “Nana Banana”. Near the end of her time in Ohio, at the age of 58, Karen completed
her Masters in Business Administration which brought with it the once in a lifetime opportunity
to visit both Turkey and Dubai. In 2012 Karen departed her work family at Kaiser Permanente,
her cherished home in Westlake, and her devoted group of friends in Ohio to return to Canada. Although
Alberta was far from her familiar East Coast roots, her return to Canada allowed her to be near her daughters
and their families and would provide her with the opportunity to fully embrace her beloved role as “Nana Banana”.
Karen arrived in Alberta during the fall of 2012. She was quick to adjust to extreme winter temperatures, her new career
with AHS, and truly embraced her new home in the wonderful community of St. Albert. She marked this
time in her life with a purple streak in her hair, a trademark of her bright and adventurous spirit. After
settling in St. Albert, Karen joined a Curling League, formed a “Turtle Running Club” with her new
work family (Malanie Greenaway & Christine Lauerman), organized many family camping trips,
Sunday dinners and cookouts at Lions Park, and even took up electric guitar. While Karen delighted in her
time with family in Alberta, she always looked forward to her next opportunity to spend time with
her stepchildren Bill and Jenny in California as well. In 2015 Karen was again blessed with twin
grandchildren, Thomas and Margaux (Bill Randt & Natasha Palmer), who’s spirit and love brought her
immense joy. “Nana Banana” was indeed her favorite title. In her career, Karen became an integral
part of Alberta Health Services and was offered a director’s position in Red Deer just prior to
retiring in 2018. While in Red Deer, Karen enjoyed time with close friend Cheryl Johnson, and sat on
the Board for the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter, a charity she held near and dear to
her heart. Karen then returned to AHS in Edmonton on a contract basis, and soon met Hedi-Lee van Wyk,
a dear friend and colleague whose care and support carried her through many challenging times along her
journey with multiple myeloma. The last decade of Karen’s life was spent travelling to Mexico
(once with a close friend, the other with granddaughter Madison Fielder), hot air ballooning in Sedona for her 60th,
skydiving with Christine Lauerman, touring Ireland, enjoying the winter months in Portugal following her retirement,
weekends in the mountains, two trips to Hawaii, and spending many “yes days” with her adventurous
partner in crime, Nancy Love. Shortly after her final trip to Hawaii, as the Covid-19 pandemic was
declared globally, Karen was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. The two years that followed were filled
with immeasurable challenges, however Karen embraced her resources, supports, and her strong
medical background to combat her disease with grace, bravery, and strength of will. She was blessed
with the love and caring support of many local friends including Sue & Keith Talbot, Helen Nurse,
Janice Medland, and Gail Fraser, among others. Throughout her treatments, she continued to take
joy in online ukulele lessons with her East Coast friends, join happy hour with her Women’s Group,
attend Book Club Zoom meetings, lovingly knit hats for premature babies in the NICU, she took a
felting class, spent holidays with her family, mentored her grandchildren, summered in Nova Scotia,
and made one last kindred connection with her double-cousin Diane Goodwin, and family (Scott Kelly,
Yuliya Shevchenko). Karen could fit more love and authentic connection in fleeting moments than
some could hope for in a lifetime, and she will be dearly missed by many. Ever
loved, celebrations of Karen’s life are being planned for the summer months of this year
pending possible Covid restrictions. Details will be posted on Karen’s Facebook page.
