Obituary of Karen L. Connor

July 25, 1955 – June 4, 2025

Karen L. Connor.  Age 69 of Southgate.

Loving mother of Tamara (Geoff).  Dearest grandmother of Amelia “Millie”.  Dear daughter of Eloise Connor. Sister of Larry (Sue) Connor and Marla (Aldo) Colapietro.  Also survived by nephew Larry (Tiffany) Connor and great-niece Ellen.

Memorial contributions are appreciated to Downriver Actors Guild or Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center.  

A celebration of Karen's life will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Trenton Village Theater, 2447 West Jefferson, Trenton, MI 48183. More details will be shared as they become available.

Family Tribute ~ 

Karen’s journey began July 25th, 1955, in Michigan. Her older brother, Larry, introduced her to comic books and taught her how to drive a stick shift so he wouldn’t have to get up in the mornings to move his car out of the driveway. She shared a room with her younger sister, Marla, who had a much stricter sense of how the room should be kept. She loved, adored, and boasted about her siblings every chance she got. In 1973, she graduated from Grosse Ile High School. 

On January 14th of 1985, Karen became a mother to her daughter, Tamara, who was the center of her universe. She was the kind of mother who made sure no opportunity was out of reach, supporting and encouraging her daughter in every venture. She had a way of making her feel like she could take on the world, instilling the kind of confidence that would allow her to successfully go into the arts professionally as an adult. 

Karen Connor had a profound influence on the lives of those she loved, the dental patients she assisted in caring for, and the theatre communities she served with passion, hard work and dedication.

Always an active member of the theatre world, Karen directed both youth and adult theatre, served on the Board for Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center and Southgate Community Players, and sometimes even got on stage herself! But she was most famous for her marvelous costuming. She costumed countless local productions and even worked on national tours.

In 2020, Karen proudly took on the role of Grandmother, or as her family would call her, “Kiki”. Her and her Granddaughter, Millie, often spent time together—visiting parks or the library, playing games, going for walks, taking care of Kiki’s dog, Baby, and having sleepovers. In the five years they got to spend together they were able to create a truly special bond. 

Just as the performers she adorned in beautiful costumes, so will her loved ones always wear the immense love she wrapped them in. Karen was a shining source of light, love, and joy that will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.