Obituary of Karen Rees-Milton
Karen Rees-Milton
It is with profound sadness that we announce that Karen Rees-Milton has ended her long and courageous battle with cancer on her own terms on April 9th at Kingston General Hospital with her husband by her side.
Karen’s achievements include a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (First Class Honours) from the University of Wales College of Cardiff and a Doctorate in Biochemistry from the University of Southampton in the UK. In 1995, Karen, in search of a place to work and windsurf, bravely decided to accept a three-year post doc at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. She fell in love with the city, its people, and the many new activities the Canadian winter season provided. Karen became a Canadian citizen and continued to work at Queen's University in medical research. A lifelong learner, Karen recently pursued formal studies in computer programming. With tremendous determination, Karen earned a Diploma in Computer Programming with Distinction from St. Lawrence College earlier this month.
Born to parents Hywel Rees and Joan Milton January 20th, 1967 in Trolbridge, Wiltshire, UK, Karen is predeceased by her father Hywel in 1972 and her stepfather Ray Milton in 2014.
Karen is survived by her husband Gary Watson of Kingston, Ontario, her mother Joan, brother Martin, stepsisters Helen, Julie and Louise, nieces Sara, Kate, and Meghan and nephews Tom, Matt, and Nate, who all reside in the UK.
Karen was loved by all. She will be remembered for her wonderful smile, kind heart, hard work as a medical researcher, and active energetic lifestyle. A proud Welsh woman, her passions included her work, windsurfing, and cross-country skiing. A favourite quote of Karen’s by Jim Rohn expresses the way Karen lived her life:
Happiness is not something you postpone for the future;
It is something you design for the present.
In keeping with Karen's wishes, cremation will take place and a celebration of life will follow at a later date.
In light of the current circumstances, we have arranged a virtual visitation on her Facebook page www.facebook.com/karen.reesmilton. If necessary, make a Friend request and we will add you to Karen’s Facebook Friends. There you will find an Album of photos, quotes and a number of poems that speak to her joys and beliefs.
Please email tributes and condolences for the family to garybw55@gmail.com , or post stories and images to her Facebook wall.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial donations to the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation at: www.uhkf.ca/Ways-To-Give/Tribute-Giving . Click on “make a donation in memory of someone”. Please include the following in the donation form comments box:
(UHKF) - The Endoscopy Department at KHSC or to General Surgery at KGH.
