Karen Jean Westover Duffin, passed away on April 21, 2024. Karen was residing in Boise, Idaho. Karen was born on January 7, 1959 in Los Angeles, California to her loving mother and father, Mary Gray and Melvin J. Westover.
Karen attended Richmond Street Elementary School, El Segundo Jr High, El Segundo High School, and BYU in Provo, Utah.
Karen married her best friend, Mark Duffin on March 29th 1980 in the Los Angeles Temple. When Mark came home from his LDS mission to the Philippines he saw Karen at the airport and immediately knew he wanted to marry her. He was attracted to her spunky humor and confidence.
Karen was a loving wife, an amazing mother, incredible babysitter, and the best Gma ever.
Ever the life of the party, Karen always ensured everyone was having a good time. Karen made everything fun and her creativity and humor were a gift to those around her. Like a true California girl, Karen loved laying out in the sun, preferably on a beach. She also enjoyed shopping and spending time with her family, especially with her grandkids. One of her many talents was sewing, and she often used it to serve others. In fact, service was a major theme in Karen’s life. She was known to be the one to reach out to people around her and it wasn’t uncommon to find her watching someone’s child, delivering a special present, or sending a friendly text.
Although Karen was busy with family, she also spent many years in church service, especially with the youth. Karen was Young Women’s President on ward and stake levels. She served in Relief Society and as Young Women’s Camp Director. Karen was known for her ambitious projects. She supported the local schools by serving in the PTO and was the mastermind behind many large and successful fundraising projects for both her children’s and grandchildren’s schools.
Karen is survived by her husband Mark, four daughters, Malia (Tyson) Chaplin and children Clark and Blythe, Colette (Brent) Lindsey and children Vivian and Jack, Bridgett (Phil) Whipple and son Hank, Tracy (Seth) McIntier and children Marigold and Opal, and two sons, Trevor (Lindsey) Duffin and children Tanner, Gracie, Emmerson, Spencer, Hattie and Scout, Danny (Erin) Duffin and daughter Quinn. As well as her mother Mary Westover, Karen’s six siblings, their spouses, and many nieces and nephews. Karen was preceded in death by her father, Melvin J. Westover.
A public viewing will be held, 10:00 am, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3229 Bogus Basin Rd., with a funeral service beginning at 11:00 am. A committal service will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery, 9600 Hill Rd., Boise.
To attend the service virtually please visit https://youtube.com/live/DmRfmwSPZBc?feature=share
A public viewing will be held, 10:00 am, Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3229 Bogus Basin Rd., with a funeral service beginning at 11:00 am. A committal service will follow at Dry Creek Cemetery, 9600 Hill Rd., Boise.
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Sheila White says
April 29, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Even though she was only a year older than me, Karen was a great friend and Mentor. She guided me through the difficult high school years, and even made me feel like a part of The bigger Westover family. A few memories:
I Remember when we ditched school and went to your house and then Mel came home early from work? We tried to hide, but he still caught us. I don’t remember exactly what punishment he served. But I’m sure it was fair. We thought we were so sneaky.
Then when we were in the freshman dorms at byu, Karen woke up in the middle of the night yelling “Sheila wake up, you have to help me!” Her hands were on the wall and you seemed crazed with fear. I ran to your bed, “Karen, what’s the matter?”. She answered, “The wall is falling down and you have to help me hold it up!” So I sat on her bed with my hands on the wall. And we sat there holding up that wall that was never going to fall. Eventually I said, “I think you were having a bad dream.” Karen replied “ I think you’re right.” lay back down and fell asleep as quickly as she had woken up. That’s the kind of supportive friends we were, no matter how crazy.
But on a more solemn note, I remember when she called and asked me to come over to her house. She told me that the guy I had a crush on had just died. We cried together, me because of a broken heart, but Karen cried because she felt for me.
Karen, and family, I want you to know that my heart is just as broken now as it was then. More so even. Karen, Thank you for being my friend. I’m forever grateful for all the fun we had and will hold you in a corner of my heart.
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REPLY
Tracy (Westover) Robison says
April 30, 2024 at 9:10 am
I’m sure that heaven is much more fun now that Karen is there, but she leaves a huge hole in so many hearts here on earth.
One of my favorite memories of Karen goes back to our teenage days. Karen decided that she and I needed the experience of kissing a boy that had braces! We convinced a really nice guy in our ward that had just had braces put on to help us with our goal! Karen drove the family station wagon and we picked up our accomplice. We chose the parking lot at the back of the church for our secret escapade! We each took a turn in the back seat with “K.R.” to cross that life experience off of our bucket lists. It was a pretty fun and memorable night, but I give Karen all the credit for coming up with such an important life lesson and skill!! Turns out he was a good kisser with and without braces!!
Thank you, Karen, for so many fun memories.
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REPLY
Sheila White says
April 29, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Even though she was only a year older than me, Karen was a great friend and Mentor. She guided me through the difficult high school years, and even made me feel like a part of The bigger Westover family. A few memories:
I Remember when we ditched school and went to your house and then Mel came home early from work? We tried to hide, but he still caught us. I don’t remember exactly what punishment he served. But I’m sure it was fair. We thought we were so sneaky.
Then when we were in the freshman dorms at byu, Karen woke up in the middle of the night yelling “Sheila wake up, you have to help me!” Her hands were on the wall and you seemed crazed with fear. I ran to your bed, “Karen, what’s the matter?”. She answered, “The wall is falling down and you have to help me hold it up!” So I sat on her bed with my hands on the wall. And we sat there holding up that wall that was never going to fall. Eventually I said, “I think you were having a bad dream.” Karen replied “ I think you’re right.” lay back down and fell asleep as quickly as she had woken up. That’s the kind of supportive friends we were, no matter how crazy.
But on a more solemn note, I remember when she called and asked me to come over to her house. She told me that the guy I had a crush on had just died. We cried together, me because of a broken heart, but Karen cried because she felt for me.
Karen, and family, I want you to know that my heart is just as broken now as it was then. More so even. Karen, Thank you for being my friend. I’m forever grateful for all the fun we had and will hold you in a corner of my heart.
REPLY
Tracy (Westover) Robison says
April 30, 2024 at 9:10 am
I’m sure that heaven is much more fun now that Karen is there, but she leaves a huge hole in so many hearts here on earth.
One of my favorite memories of Karen goes back to our teenage days. Karen decided that she and I needed the experience of kissing a boy that had braces! We convinced a really nice guy in our ward that had just had braces put on to help us with our goal! Karen drove the family station wagon and we picked up our accomplice. We chose the parking lot at the back of the church for our secret escapade! We each took a turn in the back seat with “K.R.” to cross that life experience off of our bucket lists. It was a pretty fun and memorable night, but I give Karen all the credit for coming up with such an important life lesson and skill!! Turns out he was a good kisser with and without braces!!
Thank you, Karen, for so many fun memories.
Leave a Condolence
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