"We did not find out until recently and were greatly saddened by the news. Karen was a mentor, a friend and a good soul. Her love of her family was evident in every conversation and text (photos of Henry were the last we received). One of the funniest gals. I will miss her witty and her sweet texts. Condolences to her family. TLC702 signing out for KLF603 one last time. 'Til we meet again sweet friend! Terri and Charlie Chester."
In loving memory of
Karen Louise Fry
February 12, 1953 - August 28, 2021
Karen L Fry of Harper Woods passed away after a brief illness on August 28 at the age of 68. Born in Findlay, Ohio she moved with her family to Grosse Pointe in 1965. She graduated from Grosse Pointe South High School and then received a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University.
She spent the majority of her career with Manufacturers/Comerica Bank. She was a helpful mentor, teacher and one of the first female system programmers.
Karen had a reputation as a great, corny joke teller. She enjoyed collecting rocks, watching comedies, attending art fairs and sending thoughtful gifts to her nieces, nephew and great nephew.
Many thanks to close friends who were devoted and loving in Karen's final days...Betsy Labick, Melodie Tobias and Lisa Wright.
Karen is survived by her sister Mary McKisson (Allan) of Leland, MI; nieces Kate McKisson and Maggie Jackson (Dan) and nephew Chris McKisson (Kalle) and her great nephew Henry McKisson.
Karen's parents Noel and Bettie Fry (who resided in Grosse Pointe for 15 years) preceded her in death.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Friends may contribute in Karen's name to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/donate
Tributes
"This one is a rough notice to read. Karen was a great.friend to me. Yes as many have said , she was also funny and caring plus smart. Willing to.help with a problem or go somewhere fun. Love you Karen. This world will miss you. Donna Petry"
"Working with Karen was always a joy. She was caring and funny. My condolences to her family and friends, she will be missed. J. Kociara"
"I worked with Karen many years and always found to be a very happy and pleasant soul. My condolences to her family. Ron Buyck"
"Karen was great to work with. She was a very nice person. She always had a smile on her face and always managed to put one on mine whenever I saw her. She had a friendly outgoing personality and a great sense of humor. My prayers and heartfelt sympathies go out to her family. "
"Karen was a friendly, funny and helpful coworker! My condolences to her family."
"Karen was a wonderful coworker and had a great sense of humor. She will be missed and I pray for her family and friends to be comforted."
"So sweet and caring, Karen always left me with a smile on my face. My heart and prayers go out to her family and friends."
"Karen was such a wonderful lady! Her and I shared a few laughs together. She was always so funny and always had a great joke to share!! She will be missed dearly!! My heart goes out to her family and friends! "
"My heart is sadden by the loss of Karen. Wonderful lady. Nice, bubbly and full of laughter. Very down to earth, easy going person. Karen would stop by my desk and we would talk about many things. She never left my desk without a couple jokes. She loved to make people laugh. I missed those times when she left Comerica to enjoy the next phase of her life. My prayers are with her family and friends. I know she was special to all of you. Her Comerica family loved her as well. My condolences and God bless you all. "
"Karen was a joy to work with; she could brighten you day with her personality. She is surely going to be missed and my deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the family."
"Karen is going to be truly missed; positive energy, joy to be around. Praying for the family and my condolences goes out. "
"Karen brightened my day with a new joke just about every time I saw her. She always made me smile. God bless you Karen. David Williams "
"It is hard to believe that Karen is no longer here! My thoughts and prayers goes out to her family."
"Karen was a great lady. She was always very nice to me. She was always giving me books on CD from the library so that I could listen on my ride to and from work. The world will not be the same without her in it. My prayers go out to her family and all of her friends. We were all blessed to have her in our lives. "
"Karen was know as the card lady in our family. I still have many of the funny cards she gave me when we worked together. Her humor was a true gift. "
"Karen and I shared a great love of mystery novels and traded books often during our years at Comerica. May she rest in peace. Mary Stelmark"
"I had the pleasure of working with Karen at Manufactures and Comerica Bank. I can hear her laugh as I think of her. Gone too soon. My condolences to her family. "
"Deepest sympathies to the family. Lots of good memories, especially at 411 Layfette in '86 -'88. "
"It is with great sadness that I write this after seeing the news of Karen?s passing. She was my colleague and friend when we worked together at Manufacturers Bank. Together with Ed Katterson, Joyce, Ron, Jim, Irv and I, we created the Information Center and introduced computing to non-programmer Bankers. I still remember that time as the best in my Corporate career and remember Karen and our time with fondness. I will truly miss knowing she is there, even though we rarely connected in recent years. Al Fields"
"I worked with Karen most of my 32 years at the bank. I am so sorry to hear she passed. We were good friends and she will be missed. Carl Jiovani"
"Karen was a bright light. She was a gift to her colleagues at Comerica. She was always willing to learn, quick to laugh, and steadfastly loyal. She had a special gift of making everyone feel like the most important person in her world. We shared a love of reading, the Great British Baking Show, and the simple joys of friendship. She had a unique gift to write in cursive backwards, often writing your name that way on card left at your desk with an uplifting message. It always made me smile. Rest in peace, Karen. God bless. --Mary Bujold"