Paying Tribute to Karen Fijalkowski
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write of the tragic passing of Karen Fijalkowski. Karen has been unfairly battling mental illness for the past few years fighting every single day to overcome it and win her life back. Unfortunately, she tragically passed away on Friday, July 9th, 2021 leaving behind her husband Stanley, son Kyle, and daughter Christie among many other loving family and friends.
This GoFundMe has been set up to help ease some of the financial stress of dealing with Karen's unexpected loss. At this time, I ask that you continue to pray for the Fijalkowski family as they try to navigate this unfortunate reality they now must face and consider donating to this fundraiser.
I think Karen's daughter Christie wrote the most beautiful post regarding Karen which I am including below to help share what a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend Karen was to so many who had the joy of knowing her.
"As I write this, the realization starts to set in that my biggest fear in life has become a reality. Losing my mom is a pain and sadness that is so immense, I’ll truly never be able to put it into words.
My mom’s greatest joy in life was helping others in any way she could. She was the hardest working and most selfless person I have ever known and she dedicated her life to ensuring our family was happy and healthy every single day. She persevered through more tragedy and hardship than I could ever fathom and this was supposed to be the fun and easy part of retired life that she could finally enjoy. My mom and dad would’ve celebrated 39 years of marriage in September.
She was my best friend and I don’t yet understand how I will be able to live my life without her. I could always rely on her to pick up my 5 phone calls a day asking life questions that only your mom knows the answer to. She loved my dogs like they were humans while she patiently awaited grandkids, (and those who know her will laugh because she was not exactly what you would call a dog person ). She dropped everything to be by my side whenever I needed her. That includes overcoming her fear of flying for the first time in 20 years to visit me in Mississippi for 48 hours.
Her mental illness took over her suddenly and unfairly just a few years ago and she’s fought like hell every single day to manage getting back to the stability she once knew.
She tragically took her life yesterday for reasons that I don’t think I will ever truly understand. This was not her…
This time last week I was marrying the man of my dreams with the fullest heart. Today, our hearts are shattered into a million pieces and I know they will never be put back together in whole. I knew life was unfair, but I have a hard time believing this was in God’s plan. I wish I could text her and tell her I’m boarding my flight home and see her smiling face when I land. I’d give anything to hug her and tell her I love her one more time.
Thank you to each of the 1000+ people who shared our missing person post yesterday in hopes of finding her safely.
I appreciate the kindness, love, and support many have already shown our family. I know she was loved by so many and I ask for anyone who has some fun pictures of her to please post them so we can remember her for who she really was. My sweet, beautiful, perfect mother. Love you all. "
