KAREN WINNIFRED BROMLEY ECKERT
September 4, 1942 — August 24, 2022

Passed away unexpectedly on August 24, 2022. Beloved wife of John M. Eckert;
loving mother to Yvann, Cassidy (George), John William (Rebecca), Hazel (Daniel), and
Michael; doting grandmother to Odessa. Karen will also be deeply missed by her
brothers Barry (Irene), Don (Denise), the entire Bromley and Eckert families, many
nieces and nephews, and countless friends and colleagues. She is predeceased by her
parents, Hazel and William Bromley.

Karen’s life was characterized by a love of family, adventure, and a desire to
experience new challenges. Growing up in a farming community in rural Manitoba,
Karen wanted something different, and her life’s trajectory set an example of the
successful pursuit of one’s dreams. While attending the School of Interior Design and
Architecture at the University of Manitoba she recounted being “bitten by the theatre
bug” which led her eastward in her early twenties to work for several small theatre
companies in Ontario and Vermont. Karen was soon working in film and television and
built a fifty-year career. In an industry dominated by men, Karen was not afraid to make
her presence felt. She was instrumental in bringing production designers into the
Directors Guild of Canada. The flood of memories and reminiscences received following
her passing paint a picture of someone whose drive was matched only by her kindness
and whose uncompromising nature was matched by unfailing positivity and passion.

Karen’s professional dynamism was equalled by the passion and energy with
which she approached her retirement years. In her seventies she saw the UK, Italy,
Spain, France, Greece, the Alps, Romania, Northern and Eastern Europe, and Western
Canada from the back of a motorcycle piloted by her husband, John. Retirement
brought simpler pleasures too; she spent cherished time obsessing over jigsaw puzzles
with her daughters and baking pies with her granddaughter. Karen’s need to stay busy
was fulfilled by working in her rugged, sometimes uncooperative, and decidedly
light-deprived garden. Here, as in the rest of her life, she took what she was given and
made it work. Karen’s absence leaves an unimaginable void in the lives of many. She
was the mastermind of legendary Boxing Day dinners hosted at the Eckert home which
ensured that many family friends and “Christmas orphans” enjoyed a holiday meal when
they couldn’t be with their own families during the holidays. She welcomed many into
her home and life who needed a place to land.

As valued as her career successes were, Karen would not hesitate to name her
children as her highest achievement and her greatest joy. She was a devoted mother
and grandmother whose loss is felt immensely.

There will be a drop-in at the family home October 1st from 1 to 4pm. To share a
story of Karen via email or receive directions to the house, please send a message to:
kbe.memories2022@gmail.com

In lieu of flowers donations could be made in Karen’s name to Fred Victor,
Covenant House, Scott Mission or Salvation Army.