Karen Lynn Natkin 1949 - 2014

Karen passed away quietly at home on Monday, May 12th.

She was born and raised in El Paso Texas, attended Whittier College in California, received her Masters in Speech Pathology from Boston University and went on to work with stroke victims to help them regain their speech, She later earned her doctorate. Karen retired in 2011 after 23 years as an instructor and Administrative Lead for the Medical Education & Training Center for the Department of the Navy. She received the prestigious Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 2011.

Karen had been married to a Chaplin in the Navy and lived around the world, but San Diego was always the home in her heart. She loved reading, sketching and Baseball, especially the Padres. Her second family were the members of Temple Emanu-El where she sang in the choir and was very active. Karen was always in touch with her Judaism and embraced it with a joy untold.

Karen is survived by her brother Edward Schwartz (Shirley) niece Libby Hirst (Bret) and nephew Joseph Schwartz