Karen Carbonell
When René married my dad, Joe, she became my sister’s and my stepmother, but she was so much more than that. René was a guiding influence in my life, helping shape me into the person I am today. She taught me to be mindful of my posture, how I spoke, and how I presented myself to the world. She gave me my first set of paints and a canvas, encouraging me to explore creativity through art. She also patiently taught me how to crochet. I was always in awe of the way she moved through life with such effortless grace and poise.
Though I never quite mastered painting, and my crochet journey ended with a couple of pot holders and an unfortunate cat sweater, a piece of René will always be with me in my everyday life. I am so grateful that she and my dad built a beautiful life together and gave me a wonderful brother, Nico. Although I don’t see my cousins from that side of the family as often as I’d like, I will always cherish the memories of our time together—full of love, warmth, and togetherness.
The last time I saw René, I could see she was struggling, but that did not change who she was. She remained the same elegant, graceful woman with a free spirit, an easy smile, and a deep love for life. She lived it fully, and she did it so beautifully.
