KAREN NEWMAN

1947-2017

Karen Newman, 69, passed away on October 23, 2017 after a sudden illness. Karen lived a full life full of family, friends, love, music, travel and good food.

Patti Karen Warren was born December 13, 1947 to E.B. and Ann Warren in Houston, TX. She had one brother, Stan Warren. Karen grew up on the east side of Houston with a neighborhood full of friends. The family owned and operated the Hendrick Grain Company, a feed store started by Karen’s grandfather, Porter Hendrick. The feed store is still in business today on Harrisburg Blvd. As a child, Karen liked to dance and was an officer in the Scottish Brigade. Karen graduated high school from Stephen F. Austin in 1966.

Karen followed on to Stephen F. Austin University. She was a founding member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. In her sophomore year, she suffered a horrible car accident that left her paralyzed and would change her physical ability for the rest of her life. She did not let the accident define her, learned to walk again and over the next couple of years regained most aspects of her life. Karen went on to finish her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston with a degree in Speech Pathology.

Karen married Edwin Pegelow in 1976 and later had a daughter, Elizabeth Ann Pegelow, in 1981. Ed Pegelow passed away in 1982.

Karen later met and married Edward Newman in 1984. Ed had one daughter, Candace Laine Newman, who became Karen’s stepdaughter. The family lived together in the Clear Lake area amongst many lifelong friends. Karen returned to school to get her Masters in Social Work and graduated from the University of Houston in 1998. She began working as a social worker at MD Anderson in 1999 first in Lymphoma then moving to a long career in ICU social work.

Karen and Ed moved to Houston in 2004, downsizing to a condominium without kids in the house. They enjoyed being close to the theater and restaurants. Ed Newman passed away in 2007. Karen continued to live in Houston and retired from MD Anderson in 2012. She spent her retirement years volunteering at Catholic Charities (Karen had a heart for those who were indigent), mentored students at a local elementary school, took continuing education classes, traveled and attended Broadway shows.

She is survived by her two daughters Elizabeth Pegelow and Candace Wickstrom and husband Matthew; grandsons Grayson and Griffin; her brother Stan Warren and his wife, Lisa; two nieces Stacey Underwood and husband Jared and Nikki Ott; and a nephew Travis Warren. She was predeceased by her loving parents Ann and E.B. Warren.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in Karen’s name to Catholic Charities. More information can be found at www.catholiccharities.org