Karen Leah Williams | March 3, 1943-April 28, 2014

Karen Leah Williams passed away while surrounded by her immediate family on April 28 at UCLA Medical Center after suffering a stroke.

Karen was born on March 3, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio, to parents Melvin (Toasty) and Sarah (Sally) Bernstein. The entire family moved to Santa Monica in 1947.

Karen was blessed with a brother Robert Bernstein born in Santa Monica in 1950. In 1957 the family moved to Pacific Palisades and never left. Karen was a Palisades resident for 57 years.

She graduated from Santa Monica High class of 1961 and worked in the aerospace industry for 30 years. After retirement she worked as office manager for her son David’s two Palisades restaurants Misto Café and Mogan’s Café.

She was very involved in the Palisades community that she loved, even playing Mrs. Claus for six years at the Chamber of Commerce Ho Ho Ho event.

She is survived by her son David Williams (former Chamber of Commerce President); her daughter-in-law Dominique Le Duc-Williams; her grandchildren Sarah (22), Eli (21), Nate (21) and Hannah (19); plus 2 nieces Caitlin and Rosemary Bernstein.

Known as “Nana,” she was very involved with all of her grandchildren’s activities, never missing a dance performance, baseball games, football games, Bar Mitzvah, graduation, birthday, college visits… the list goes on and on.

Karen was very creative. Her favorite hobby was knitting. She made lifelong friends in her knitting groups. She really enjoyed making scarves, beanies, gloves, sweaters and stuffed dolls, especially bennies given away to newborn babies at hospitals all over LA.

Karen was such a bright light in the lives of all who were lucky enough to know her, and her generosity of spirit and sense of humor will always be a part of us and will never be forgotten.

The celebration of Karen’s life was held on May 4 at Beth Shir Shalom in Santa Monica. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association by visiting their website, www.diabetes.org and clicking on the “Donate Now!” tab.