Karen Taylor

Our beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and Best Friend Karen Lynn Taylor (McKenna) passed away on January 31st 2021 at the age of 62. After a decade long fight with cancer, she passed peacefully into the next life at her home in Pleasant Hill MO surrounded by her loved ones.  Karen’s love of life did not come to an end with her passing. Those who love or knew Karen have been forever marked and will carry her generous spirit and positive attitude forever.
Karen was born at Providence Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas on December 28th 1958 to the joy of her Parents Wilbur and Jadene McKenna (deceased).  She attended Kansas City public schools until the young family moved to Lee’s Summit MO in 1969 where she completed her primary and secondary education,  graduating from Lee’s Summit High School in the spring of 1977.  Karen was an excellent student and had many friends she stayed close with her entire life.
After high school, Karen started a family with Sons Jason Piburn and Eric Piburn (McKenna) being born in 1978 and 1980 respectively.  She was a truly dedicated Mother who put her children above everything else while sacrificing so much of herself.  Karen was a devoted and selfless single mother until  1991 when she re-married. Karen married Danial Taylor on September 29th, 1991 and doubled the family, adding her two beautiful girls Danialle and Reana Taylor.  Karen and Danial moved the new family to Pleasant Hill MO in the summer of 1991 where they built a new life and raised their children together.
Karen’s professional life was as steady as a rock, marked by 30 years of tireless service to her job as an administrative assistant with the Dept. of Disability Services for the State of MO.  She earned a reputation for being a hard working, empathetic, and caring co-worker who made many lifelong friends.
Karen wished to be cremated and laid to eternal rest with her Mother and Father at the Holden Cemetery in Holden MO.  She desired a Celebration of Life instead of a traditional service.  The family will be reaching out to close friends and family in the coming weeks with additional details of the burial service and Celebration event.  For the concern of family and loved one’s health and well being,  these important events will scheduled at a future time when it is more appropriate to gather and celebrate together.  Until then, she will remain at her home in Pleasant Hill MO with family.