The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Karen Roth passed away at home in Sisters on Tuesday, August 6, surrounded by friends and her partner of 21 years, Chris Rubio. Karen had been in treatment for cancer until early July when she went into home hospice care.

Karen and Chris moved to Sisters in 2006 from Davis, CA, continuing their work in education. While at UC Davis, Karen directed the Diversity Education Program — work she continued at Central Oregon Community College where she served as the director of diversity and inclusion before retiring in 2018.

She devoted much of her career to engaging people in ongoing learning around diversity and social justice. In addition, Karen taught a class on multicultural issues in education for future teachers at both COCC in the early childhood education program and at OSU Cascades in the master of teaching program. A master gardener, she worked with OSU Extension helping local gardeners find success in their efforts. A reiki master, she also taught reiki classes for community learning, introducing dozens of students to this healing therapy.

Born in LaCrosse, Wisconsin in March of 1956, Karen is survived by her spouse, Chris Rubio of Sisters; her daughter, Jennie Konsella-Norene of Woodland, California; her three grandchildren; her mother, Sally Roth, of Viroqua, Wisconsin; a sister, Janet Vesbach; and a brother, Gary Roth, both of Ohio.

Karen requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Charles Cancer Center, specifically integrative therapies: https://www.stcharleshealthcare.org/Our-Services/Cancer-Care/Integrative-Therapies?. Alternately, donations may be made to St. Charles hospice care.

Information about services will come later.