Karen Vance

Karen Mattison Vance (McCloy) of Wickenburg, Arizona, passed away on February 11, 2011, after a brief difficult battle with cancer at the age of 73. Karen was born on January 4, 1938 in Rockford, Illinois to John and Mildred McCloy. She moved to Arizona with her family in 1953. After high school, she lived and worked in various communities in Arizona. In 1964 while working as a cashier for A.J. Bayless Grocers in Apache Junction, she met and married her husband Don. They moved to Phoenix in 1973 where she was primarily a stay-at-home mom. In 1999, She and Don moved to Wickenburg. It seemed to be a perfect fit for her life style. She loved anything to do with nature, and the Wickenburg area provided a backdrop for so many of the things she enjoyed: the desert, the mountains, the cactus, the sunsets, the star-lit night sky and the wildlife. One of her favorite pastimes was sitting on the front porch in the late afternoon and watching the "critters". She enjoyed sketching, and animals were her favorite subjects. She was a member of the Wickenburg Art Club. She was also an avid reader and the Wickenburg Library was one of her favorite spots. She almost always had several books checked out at any given time until macular degeneration robbed her of that pleasure a little over a year ago. She always bragged about the library to her out-of-town visitors. In addition to Don, her loving husband of 46 years, Karen is survived by her children: Tim Eldredge, Frank Vance (Chris), John Vance (Pauline), and Jody Miller. Also surviving her, grandchildren: Emily Vance, Ethan Vance, Alexis Vance, Ruk Vance, Samantha Miller and Shelby Miller and sisters Nancy Landmon (Al) and Joan Nelson (Bill). Our hearts smile knowing we were blessed to have had her with us for as long as we did, and we take comfort in knowing she will watch over us. A private ceremony will be held at a later date. The family suggests donations to Wickenburg's Friends of the Library or the Humane Society of Wickenburg.