Karen Lee Wagstaff

October 18, 1952 - August 15, 2020

Karen Lee Wagstaff

Our loving Mother, Grandma, Great Grandma, Friend, and Significant other returned home to her heavenly father and many others waiting on the other side, peacefully surrounded by family on August 15th, 2020 to begin a new dawn. 

Mom was born a twin on October 18th, 1952 to Audrey JoAnn Lemmon and Paul Leland Wagstaff. She is a daughter of the Utah pioneers and a member of the LDS Church. As she grew up, she successfully graduated from Murray High school and attended business college in California. She married James S. Rich and had three beautiful daughter’s; Monica Lee Rich, Shauna Ann Rich Smith, and Jamie Lynn Rich Maw, later divorced. She raised her children throughout California and Utah. 

Mom dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren. She taught us the value of hard work, wisdom, compassion and faith. She was known for having unconditional love, a strong and independent woman, playful personality, golden locks and hazel brown eyes. She had a bright smile who brought all that knew her joy and her keen sense of humor attracted many lifelong friends. She comforted us all, giving us courage and hope. She enjoyed spending time with family, traveling, camping, site seeing, dancing, and hanging out with her fur baby Max. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren who remember her most for being the family matriarch with a gypsy soul, the coolest grandma and confidant. She spent much of her time with them outdoors having adventures.   

Her lasting legacy is her beloved family. She is survived by her daughter Monica Rich; Shauna Smith, grandchildren Trinity Karr (Ammon), and Verron Paul Smith; daughter Jamie Maw, grandson Casen James Maw; Her great grandson Solomon Karr and great granddaughter Karr due November. Survived by her brother Bruce Wagstaff, twin sister Sharen Ottley (Roland), brothers Brent Wagstaff, Billy Wagstaff, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Paul & JoAnn.  

A special thank you to her sweetheart Joe Todoran for caring and loving her and their furbaby Max. Max was always by her side, whom she loved dearly and told all of her secrets.

The family would like to thank all of her family and friends who have shown amazing grace, love, and support. As well as her caregivers at The Holy Cross, Salt Lake Regional Hospital for their tender loving care. We will be announcing mom’s Celebration of Life ceremony, and graveside service at Sandy City Cemetery at a later date through the Starks Funeral Parlor in Salt Lake City website.