Karen McLarney

Karen Anne McLarney passed away peacefully in Guelph, Ontario on Friday, August 8, 2025 at the age of 53 following a courageous, six-year battle with breast cancer. Karen is survived by her husband Mark MacKinnon and her two sons, William MacKinnon and Robert McLarney. She is also survived by father John of Toronto and brother Mark (Elizabeth LeClaire) of Newmarket, and preceded in death by mother Joan (née Dault).

Karen moved to Guelph from Toronto in 1991—the first steps of her long academic journey. At the University of Guelph, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 1996. She continued her pursuit of knowledge across multiple disciplines, earning her Bachelor of Social Work from McMaster University in 1999, her Practical Nursing diploma from Conestoga College in 2013, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Nippissing University in 2019. Karen’s impressive credentials served her well during her diverse nursing career from 2013-2022.

Karen had boundless love for her two children, and she was thankful for having had the chance to watch them grow into remarkable young adults—something that certainly wasn’t guaranteed after her cancer diagnosis in 2019. She had a deep fondness for her dozens of cats and foster kittens over the years and was an avid volunteer at the Cats Anonymous shelter. Karen was passionate about enjoying the outdoors through geocaching; she logged 28,860 finds and made many friends along the way.

A Celebration of Life for Karen will be held at the OAC Centennial Arboretum Centre at the University of Guelph’s Arboretum (200 Arboretum Road, Guelph) on Sunday, August 24, 2025 from 12:00-2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society or a cat rescue/humane society of your choice.

Remember me with smiles and laughter,

for that is how I'll remember you all.

If you can only remember me with tears,

then don't remember me at all.

– Little House on the Prairie