Karen Nebe lost her battle with cancer in the first hours of Monday, November 29th. Friends and family surrounded Karen at home. In the days prior she had the opportunity to be with family members on Thanksgiving and the following day.Karen moved to Vashon Island in 1995 and immediately became part of the community. She was a quilter and a supporter of the arts and Vashon lifestyle.Karen an animal rights activist, participated in animal rescue and Vashon Island Pet Protectors.

Karen is survived by her son: Joshua Sebastian Nebe (graduate of Vashon High in 2005).She is survived by an extended Vashon Island family including her mother: Margot Loeb, her brother: Dennis Loeb, her nieces Samantha Loeb and Sybella Loeb and her nephew: Jonah Loeb and his family Marie Loeb and Daniel and Charlotte Loeb. Karen's nephew: Jacob Loeb and his family: Maryah Loeb, Yasmin and Lexie live in Portland, Oregon.

Karen is also survived by three dogs, a cat, a parrot and a pot bellied pig (all of whom have new homes).

Memories from Dennis

For years I had heard the story about the day my new baby sister came home from the hospital.As the story goes, I pushed past my mother in order to get a good look at the new addition to my family life.I was already five and a half.I don't remember what I actually thought when I first saw Karen but I would guess in those early days she didn't do too much that I thought impressive.Also I had to share my parents now and this upended my childish sense of justice.

When the baby later grew into a girl I must have been a little put off again.Karen wore dresses and liked dolls. Although she always did her best to understand her brother's interest in baseball, football and wrestling, I always suspected her heart was not in that stuff.Growing up together we shared mostly secret dislikes.Number one among our secret miseries was the Sunday drive.My father did not drive. He was absent minded and considered "nervous."His not driving a car was attributed as "he's too nervous" a condition people seemed to accept without question, even though I never did figure out exactly what that meant.In any event, on Sundays we would be loaded into the old family car.

On Sunday drives my mother drove.My father sat next to her in the passenger seat- a position from which he could best conduct himself as unofficial tour director.My sister sat behind my mother and I sat behind my father.From my perch behind my father I could make all manner of facial gestures and roll my eyes- usually cracking up my sister who would get blamed for clowning around.She would poke me and I would retaliate in some way.We were constantly admonished to be serious and look at the beautiful or interesting vistas around us. My father would often become exasperated with us and suggest we may never get to go on a Sunday drive again, temporarily giving my sister and I reason to rejoice.It never occurred to me that my mother could see me instigating all manner of insurrection just by looking in her rear view mirror.She never, that I can recall now, ratted me out.Looking back on it- is it possible that she hated Sunday drives as much as Karen and I did?

As Karen grew up she developed the habit of adoption.Karen had evidently never been put off by any manner of bum or loser with a big heart, nor mangy dog or sick turtle and seemed to collect living things, all with some unusual story or need.I remember more than once, rolling my eyes and asking: "who is that guy?""Someone Karen knows'" would always be the answer. Karen always seemed to see some redeeming quality in people or creatures that escaped me.

Late in her illness her friends were dismayed when she took in yet another rescue dog.Just because Karen had the bad luck to be sick did not mean a needy dog should have to suffer.This may be logic only Jewish people can understand.

Those of us who knew Karen- family and friends- never knew what to expect at her house.An iguana, a parrot, a pig, a herd of small dogs, cats, rabbits- they were all part of her daily routine.Really these beings gave meaning for much of her life- confused and frustrated as she, and we are, by the politics and other corruptions of life in western society.

Karen had very few last requests and it is difficult for me and for her mother to come up with anything better than her apparent last wishes.Karen did not want a funeral or extravagant memorial service. "I don't want anybody I don't like attending my funeral!" she told a close friend.Karen's humor and strength endured to her last hours.My heroic mother spent the hours supporting, feeding and nurturing her daughter.It could not have been easy.Karen was in her last moments surrounded by wonderful friends, generous caregivers, her loving son and me- her big brother.Karen knew we were all there and that distant others were there with her in spirit and love.A few days before the end, one nurse told Karen she was taking few days off.This person told Karen that she did not expect Karen to survive until she got back and so wanted to say goodbye now.Karen had little energy left by then, her mouth was dry and her lips cracked and parched.Leaning in, the nurse in question asked Karen what she was trying to tell her."Go to hell!" is what my sister whispered.

Those of us who loved Karen know such spirit will not be defeated in death.

Respecting Karen's wishes she will be cremated and her ashes will be spread on Mount Rainier in the springtime. If moved to make a gift in memory of Karen, the family requests memorial contributions be made in her name to Vashon Island Pet Protection (V.I.P.P.) at P.O. Box 245, Vashon Island Washington.98070.Alternatively, contributions can be made to any humane society or animal rescue organization of your choice.