Once diagnosed with cancer in 2014, Karen Taylor Vacek never gave up. She never complained, maintaining a brave and cheerful outlook of an optimistic future – even through countless chemotherapy and radiation treatments, X-rays, blood transfusions, hospitalizations and pain. She continued to live her life and proceeded ahead with what she often referred to as just "a bump in the road".

On January 17th she passed away from this life, in San Antonio, Texas with family by her side.

Karen was born in New Orleans, LA, November 29th, 1945, to Vann Shaw Taylor and Ida Mae Taylor. She spent her adolescent years in the Dallas area and graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1963. She attended The University of Houston from 1963-64. In 1965 Karen and her family moved to Bay City, TX in order to care for her ailing Grandmother.

Filled with compassion and interest in others, Karen made friends easily and maintained contact with many. She was gracious, kind, and sacrificially generous to others. She exemplified Christ's caring compassionate heart, in her lifelong journey of caring for others; also in Her immense Love of children and how all children would gravitate to her.

She had a keen since of awareness and was very detailed oriented – which is a possible reason for her love of order and not liking unsuspected surprises. Her most recent employer MRC Global was honored to have had her work for them for over 25yrs.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents Vann Shaw and Ida LeTulle Taylor; grandparents: Arzilla Elizabeth Clark Taylor, Frank Shaw Taylor, Frances Parr Taylor, John James LeTulle, and Lela Lee Bond LeTulle. She is survived by her son Bryan Vacek & wife Vikki of Bulverde, TX. Sister Diane Coffey and husband Kerry of Van Vleck, TX. Brother Rick Taylor & wife Cindy of Portland, TX. Grandchildren Tyler Vacek, Clayton Vacek, Kolby Vacek and Lexi Vacek. Nephew Marc Monroe and his wife Saundra of Austin, TX. Niece Melissa Hawkins and husband Kevin of Bay City, TX. Niece Julie Taylor of Ingleside, TX. Niece Lee Stewart and husband David of Lewisville, TX. Grand-Nephews Michael Monroe, Timothy and Joshua Stewart. Grand – Neices Maelee and Olivia Hawkins, Heather and Laura Elizondo and Harley Perez. In the recent year, Karen was loved and cared for by her cousin Louis Ziegenhals and wife Maryln.

Karen's life will be celebrated with a memorial service held at 1:00 PM Saturday, January 30, 2016 at The First United Methodist Church of Bay City with Dr. Russ Munch officiating. A reception will follow the service in Wesley Hall.