Tomasino, Karen Darlene

September 1951 - April 2026

We are absolutely heartbroken to announce the passing of our wonderful wife and beautiful mom. She left us peacefully, with her lipstick on, on Sunday, April 5, while holding the hand of her loving husband Wayne.   Karen was born in Peterborough, Ontario to Donald Basil Thompson (Papa Don) and Gwen Hope Thompson (Dafoe).  She was predeceased by her mother and father and by her brother, Joseph (Joey) Louis Thompson. 

Our beautiful Karen was a radiant soul, an energetic person whose presence breathed a new life into every room she entered . She was incredibly creative and where others saw a field, she saw a blank canvas.  Entirely self taught, she took her empty property and turned it into two acres of garden rooms and pathways of meticulously chosen bushes, shrubs, trees and flowers, all arranged with her eye to beauty.  She was a member of the Champlain Garden Club and her knowledge was sought by many who valued her sage advice for their own gardening projects. Our amazing wife and mother was an artist at heart and always talked about her early dreams of going to design school.  Instead she channeled that passion to her approach to life and, as well as gardening, dabbled in painting, music, art projects and in community theatre as an actor, writer and director. Along with all those activities, she loved travelling and travelled the world with Wayne, enjoying adventures wherever they went.  She continually remained active, and when back home and not gardening, she could be found kayaking, cross country skiing or just walking around the beautiful areas in which she lived.  Karen was a social butterfly who lit up every room she entered and loved hosting all of our friends at the annual summer music party,  annual christmas party, frequent bonfires in the yard or simply having close friends over for dinner or sitting around the pool with gin and tonics.   But most of all, she cherished the time she spent with her daughters and grandchildren.  She leaves behind her husband, Wayne Currie, who is at a loss without her.  Karen will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her daughters Trina Lasch (Terry Bisson) Chelsea Quebec, Kirsty Lasch (Clayton Murray) Port Wade Nova Scotia and her much loved grandchildren, Kaeden, Salihah, Hamish and Portia , of whom she was so proud.   Her daughters will carry her vibrant spirit within them, keeping her memory alive in every bloom and spark of laughter. She is also survived by two brothers whom she loved dearly, Donnie (Cheryl) Belmont Ontario and Ralph (Susan) Peterborough Ontario. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Karen’s life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Annapolis Royal on Sunday the 12th of April from 2 to 4 pm.  As well, in accordance with Karen’s wishes, there will be a garden party at a later date, when the roses and rhododendrons are in full bloom, where people can share memories of her as they roam through the beautiful grounds which she created.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia