Karen Anne Cecil, 77

Known for her giant family, warm heart, Christmas Eve celebrations where wrapping paper was knee-high and family perched on every flat service and her beautiful and creative quilts, Karen Cecil unexpectedly passed Dec. 21, 2023. 

Born on Nov. 19, 1946, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to John and Betty Leonard, Karen was the eldest of eight children. At the age of 4, the family relocated to Southern California, where she grew up. There, she also met her lifelong love, Bill Cecil, and they married April 20, 1968. In 1979, they found their forever home on 15th Street in Coeur d’Alene, where the family still calls home. 

Karen is survived by her husband of 55 years, Bill; children Valerie, Laurel (Steve) and Christopher; and grandchildren Eli, Xander, Abi and Ahneka. Along with an enormous extended family, she leaves behind her siblings, Jackie (Joe), Patty, Mary (Dave), John, Liz (Chuck), Bonnie (Andrew) and god-daughter and niece Kirsten. Her close friend, “Aunt Tracy,” (Mark) and sister-in-law Deena have been constants in her life as well.   

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Betty Leonard; mother-in-law Sally Cecil; brother Doug Leonard; brother-in-law Bob Gonzales; her son-in-law, Kirby Herr; and their fourth child, Bella. 

Karen had a computer science degree and worked in the accounting department for Spokane School District for over 20 years. She was the center of a large extended family and always had an open door, and a stocked kitchen and hosted numerous family gatherings, birthdays and barbecues, often on a weekly basis. Going back to college in the 1980s, Karen was an involved mother raising three children while Bill was away from home during his long-haul trucking career. 

Karen was an avid quilter and quite talented at it. Many people were lucky recipients of a “Quilt by Karen” and cherish them always. Some other favorite activities included reading, spending time with family, spoiling her grandchildren and trips to Mexico. She will be missed by so many who were blessed to know her. 

Karen wished to be cremated and to be honored with a family celebration of life, planned for Dec. 27. 

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the first responders, namely Bryon Smith, who is a lifelong childhood friend of Chris Cecil and was around our family for many years. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to North Idaho Quilters to have quilts made for charity (P.O. Box 777 Hayden, ID 83835). 

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with her care. Please visit Karen’s memorial and sign her online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.