“And he said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee:
for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’
Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,
that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Karen Beryl (Miller) Gebbie, was born on the 13th of January 1969 at the Sudan Interior Mission station in Bulo Burti, Somalia. Her mother, Helen Frances (Baker) Miller, was descended from pioneers who had traveled the Oregon Trail in a covered wagon. Her father, John Gunson Miller, was born in Saskatchewan, though his roots were in Grey County: his family on his father’s side farmed in Normanby Township, between Neustadt and Ayton; and his mother’s folk came from Durham. John and Helen met, married, and started their own family in Africa: Edith, Karen, and Neil were born there, while David, the youngest, was born in Canada during a furlough.
The first eighteen years of Karen’s life were spent mostly in Africa, first in Somalia, then in Ethiopia, and lastly in Kenya. She attended school from the age of six as a boarder first at Bingham Academy in Addis Ababa and then at Rift Valley Academy (RVA) in Kijabe, northeast of Nairobi. After graduating from RVA, she went to Grove City College in Pennsylvania where she received a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology and went on to Linfield College, Oregon, for another Bachelor of Science, this time in nursing. While at Linfield, Karen was proposed and accepted for membership in the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. After college, she worked as a Registered Nurse in Family Practice settings with emphases on pediatrics and telephone triage.
At a church service in Oregon, in August 1995, she was introduced to the visiting preacher from Scotland, one David Douglas Gebbie. The conversation that begun that Sunday morning lasted for the next 28 years. For the first few months, it was by mail and telephone. From November 1995 it was in person and in Portland. Karen and Douglas got engaged on Karen’s birthday, 1996, and married in July of the same year. Catriona “Caty” was born in 1998 and was joined by Iain in 2002. In 2003, the family moved to Chesley where Karen continued to homeschool the children. She joined the S.B.G.H.C. – Chesley Hospital Auxiliary in 2013 and was President from 2017 to 2022. As President, Karen was an ex officio member of the Hospital Foundation. She served as a palliative care volunteer visitor with VON, and she helped with the baking entries at the Fall Fair.
Through helping informally with a family at the school in 2017, Karen met the staff at Chesley and District Community School. Soon she was asked to join the Educational Assistant (EA) group, first as an emergency supply and later taking on temporary full-time contracts. Karen thoroughly enjoyed her time at the school and made friends of all ages.
Karen liked to keep busy, and that she did. However, in her limited free time, she loved to cross stitch. She was extremely talented and shared her creations with friends and family. Karen was also an avid bird watcher, enjoying several feeders in her own backyard. Rest assured her binoculars and camera were never far away. As an avid reader, Karen loved to lose herself in a good novel, with British author, M. M. Kaye being a favourite. She also enjoyed baking, and in particular baking bread. She perfected her craft through the years, and her delicious bread was definitely missed this past year at the Chesley Fall Fair.
In January 2023, Karen was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) which is also known as motor neuron disease or Lou Gehrig’s. From that time, her health rapidly declined until she died at home from the disease on November 29, 2023. She blogged about her journey at https://sufficientgrace77.ca/
Dying at home, being visited by people whom she loved, was important to her. The family cannot express how grateful it is to all those of the multi-disciplinary team whose commitment to excellence in care helped fulfil Karen’s wish. Nor could it ever repay the spiritual, emotional, and practical help of friends, neighbours, and the community at large. The support and kindness of staff and pupils at Chesley District Community School were a huge encouragement to her at a time when the disease was taking away from her so many things that she loved to do. The love shown by the congregation of the Presbyterian Reformed Church carried Karen and the family over many rough places.
Beloved wife of Douglas. Loving mother of Caty and Iain. Cherished daughter of John Miller of Toronto and stepdaughter of Freda; sister of Edith Johnson of Indiana, Neil (Ingrid) Miller of Bangladesh, and David (Tenya) Miller of Saskatchewan; aunt of David, Jonathan, and Shoshana; and sister-in-law of Dorothy Gebbie in Scotland. Fondly remembered by her aunts, uncles, and cousins out West, on both sides of the 49th. Predeceased by her mother Helen (Baker) Miller and parents-in-law David and Isabel Gebbie.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Monday, December 4, 2023, from 6 – 9 p.m. A funeral service honouring Karen’s life will be held at Presbyterian Reformed Church, Chesley on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 1 p.m. Interment in Chesley Cemetery.
A major factor in being able to keep Karen at home was the equipment lent at no charge by the ALS Society of Canada. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the ALS Society of Canada as expressions of sympathy.
To the Miller and Gebbie Family. Please accept heartfelt condolences as we just learnt of Karen’s passing. I always enjoyed meeting and chatting with her. She had such a sweet and gentle spirit and her winning smile lit up the room. May each of you experience peace in your hearts as you continue to live your lives with the wonderful memories of her. Praying that God will comfort your aching hearts.
Thinking of all the family at this sad and difficult time .
Karen will be sorely missed by not only her close family but all who knew her .
A loving wife , mother and friend to so many .
God Bless Douglas , Caty and Iain x
Douglas, Caty and Iain,
We are so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful woman, wife, mother and friend. You are ever in our thoughts and prayers. We have been so very blessed by your family! I (Wendy), was so blessed to know you in Portland and have such sweet memories of time in your home. And in the more recent past, visiting you in Chesley. You made us feel so welcome and as if no time had passed. We are heartbroken for you all and love you very much.
Much love to you all,
Scott and Wendy Connerley
Edith and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Karen had some amazing qualities which made her so loved by you. You are all in our thoughts and prayers in the coming days and months.
My sincere condolences to Karen’s family during this difficult time. I met Karen through her work as an EA at the school. She was a very special person and will be missed greatly.
Douglas, Caty, and Iain, Our condolences to you on the loss of your wife and mother. We have so many wonderful memories of time spent together while you were in Portland. Karen was a very special friend to me (Farah). After you moved to Chesley I only got to see you all two times, but it was as if the years just fell away and we picked up where we left off. A wonderful, special friendship. Praying for the Lord’s comfort and peace to you all even as you grieve. Our love to you all.
Love, Dan and Farah
Dear Miller & Gebbie family:
Sorry to hear the news about Karen ‘s passing. You have my deepest sympathy and condolences.
Susie Cheung
Douglas, Katy and Ioan. Our deepest condolences on the passing on of Karen. May our gracious God surround you with comfort of His word and the community around you. We will lift you up in prayer from afar.
Doug, Caty and Iain, and all of Karen’s family, I extend my deepest sympathy to you all. Karen was a beautiful woman of faith with a sweet smile and a kind word. She will be very much missed in our community. Sending hugs to you.
To the entire Gebbie family,
We are truly sorry for your loss. Karen was an amazing person and will live on in the many hearts of those she touched.
My condolences to the entire family. I pray that you’ll all find God’s peace in this difficult times. Karen will be dearly missed. She was such a darling. I know she is in a better place resting, so keep heart and don’t let your heart be trouble for our Father knows best. God’s peace be with you all.
Karen, may your beautiful soul rest in peace.
My sincere condolences to Karen’s family.
I knew her only through the Chesley hospital foundation. She was always a positive, conscientious voice in our discussions.
I’m sorry I didn’t even know she was ill.
She will be missed.
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. Karen was such a wonderful person…I always enjoyed working with her, and chatting with her. She will most definitely be missed by so many!
We are so sorry to hear of your great loss. Thinking of and praying for your family during this difficult time.
Sending much love,
Dave and Sarah Kuiper & family
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your wife and mom. Our thoughts are with you. May the Lord give you strength and comfort through this difficult time.
I’m so sorry to hear about Karen’s passing but she will now be at peace. My condolences to you all. I always enjoyed working with her at the Fall Fair. Sorry I am not able to make visitation to express my sympathies in person.
We were so sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. We have fond memories of being with you all in Chesley when out there and Karen’s kindness and friendliness. May the good Lord uphold you at this sad time, sad even although you know that it is well with Karen.
Dear Douglas , Caty and Iain :
My late wife ,Joan, and I had pleasant memories of Karen and all of you at church services in Chesley and on visits to us at Grand Bend . I am so sorry that Karen had to suffer from the A.L.S. disease . But all of us can be so thankful that we can trust in the saving grace of our Lord and Saviour . May all of you be comforted and blessed following the death of your wife and mother .
Karen was a kind and caring woman. When we visited the family in Chesley, Karen’s smiling face and warm hugs communicated her love for me. She was a good cook and had many other talents. Her cross stitching was detailed and beautiful, demonstrating her thoroughness and patience. She was our family medical consultant. This was a gift to the family. Her strong faith reflected that Jesus was in her heart. We will deeply miss her.
l have many precious memories of Karen. l will share only two of them. When we lived in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, we often went for long walks on Sunday afternoons. l usually asked one of my children to lead us home. Karen was the only one who led us home without mistake.
When Karen was in boarding school, Karen and her mother usually cried when we were parting to go home. One time to encourage her mother, Karen said: “Don’t be upset when l cry. l usually don’t cry very long after you leave.”
To Rev Douglas and family -please accept our deepest sympathies on the loss of your lovely wife.
So very sorry for your great loss….so sad to see this disease progress so quickly. We are praying for you, Douglas, Caty, Ian and extended family for strength and comfort in the days ahead. We can rejoice knowing that Karen is now able to use her voice and praise God for bringing her home! ❤️
Douglas, we are so sorry for your loss aat this difficult time. For the brief opportunities we had to know Karen, she was a very real delight. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Douglas, thinking of you and your family at this time. May Karen rest in peace and rise in glory. Prayers to all of you at this time.
To the entire Gebbie family, Please receive our sincerest sympathies at the passing of your beloved Karen. We also loved her and will miss her warm smile and her gentle loving spirit. She rests now in the presence of her Savior and in that truth we must also rest and take comfort. With all our love,
Douglas, Caty & Iain,
So sorry to hear about Karen. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you.
Our sincere condolences. Karen was a dedicated Auxiliary board member of the Chesley Hospital Foundation. She was always very positive and a pleasure to work with.
Thank you Karen for being my friend and the best teacher ever. . I will miss you and you will always have a special place in my heart. To the Gebbie family so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your wife, your mother she as enriched my life forever.
Our thoughts are with u ss u grieve this huge loss of a dear wife and mom
Douglas, Cary, and Iain, I am thinking of you all and praying for your comfort in the coming days. The friendship Karen shared with my mom and grandma throughout the years is something my family will cherish forever. My kids have so many fond memories of Mrs. Gebbie; she holds such a special place in their hearts and was such a special woman.
As a school friend of Karen’s, I remember her as a person of character and consistent grace. What an absolutely beautiful obituary write up, this captured her beautiful life so lovingly and thoroughly. Thoughts and prayers to her loved ones!
I’m so sorry for this loss. I remember Karen always being kind. I went to school with her at RVA. My prayers are with your family and I hope you feel God’s peace and comfort!
I’m so sorry for your loss. I will cherish my memories of Karen. She was very kind to me while attending boarding school at RVA. She invited me home with her to Mombasa for a long weekend when I couldn’t see my parents. We both got sunburned that weekend, but we laughed, giggled and had so much fun. My sincere condolences to her family. ~Beth Ansert
I’m so sorry to read this. My family were on the mission field with the Millers, and Karen and her siblings were some of the cool older kids in my eyes. I have been following her journey through her blog and praying for Karen and her precious family. I’m so thankful for the precious hope we have through Jesus that she will have a fully restored new body and that one day we will be reunited with her. In the meantime though at this time of so much pain and grief I’m praying for all her family. Lots of love, Robyn (nee Warner) Causley
So sorry. It was times spent together during the years, that I remember. The fun and enthusiasm she had for the family and friends she met along her journey. Sending many hugs and prayers that the great memories you remember will be cherished and help to ease the loss.