Obituary for Kari Kokko
Kokko, Kari
Kari will be missed beyond words by a huge part of the KW community and beyond just her immediate family; mother Maggie French, father John Kokko (Sue Andersen), brother Dana (Carmen). There is a large extended family grieving on the French and Hibbard side with whom Kari kept very close contact, as well as with the extended Kokko family.
Kari was an extremely intelligent, vivacious, talented, caring, outgoing, determined, and on, and on woman. There are not enough adjectives in the English language to describe her. With three degrees,(theatre, music and a Masters in social work) and endless volunteering she strove to make the community a more caring, inclusive and loving space.
Starting as a young girl she showed great passion for all things artistic and musical and continued that to the end, handmaking her beautiful and thoughtful cards and gifts for all occasions. She loved the outdoors from camping and canoeing, to bicycling and jogging, to cross country skiing and soccer, to birding and travelling. She was never at a loss for something fun to be doing. Still, the thing she loved most was spending time with family and friends.
She worked tirelessly for the betterment of the community. Starting in community theatre , she went on to Pathways to Education, managing Recycle Cycles, to founding and running the Community Music School of Waterloo Region and finally on to managing the DBT program at CMHA, as well as her own counselling practice. She was constantly putting those who needed a helping hand ahead of herself. She was deeply devoted to and loved by family friends, colleagues, roommates, and almost anyone else whose life she touched in such moving and profound ways.
Sadly , mental illness can take a person to a terrible dark place. We lost Kari to depression and anxiety disorder that made the future so bleak for her that she saw no point in going on living. In her final note she said, "Please apologize to all the friends I've been avoiding but I can't see a future for myself". She took her own life Saturday, September 17.
Struggles with mental health are under appreciated and misunderstood. But there is help.
For anyone struggling PLEASE reach out; there are people who understand and care.
For 24/7 crisis support, call Here 24/7 at (844) 437-3247
Kari cared deeply for anyone struggling and would want you to get the support you need.
Kari's family will receive relatives and friends from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2022 and from 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St., Kitchener (519) 749-8467. Memorial Service in the chapel on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.. Those unable to attend may view Kari's service on Sunday via the following live stream link: Service Recording. The recording will be available for three weeks following.
There will be a reception following the service.
12:00 to 3:00 at KW Little Theatre, On Princess just east of King in Waterloo. All are welcome.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the CMHA - Crisis and Suicide Prevention Donate-CMHA Waterloo Wellington or Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council Make a Donation-WRSPC would be appreciated (cards available at the funeral home).
Visit www.henrywalser.com to view Kari's memorial.
Kari will be missed beyond words by a huge part of the KW community and beyond just her immediate family; mother Maggie French, father John Kokko (Sue Andersen), brother Dana (Carmen). There is a large extended family grieving on the French and Hibbard side with whom Kari kept very close contact, as well as with the extended Kokko family.
Kari was an extremely intelligent, vivacious, talented, caring, outgoing, determined, and on, and on woman. There are not enough adjectives in the English language to describe her. With three degrees,(theatre, music and a Masters in social work) and endless volunteering she strove to make the community a more caring, inclusive and loving space.
Starting as a young girl she showed great passion for all things artistic and musical and continued that to the end, handmaking her beautiful and thoughtful cards and gifts for all occasions. She loved the outdoors from camping and canoeing, to bicycling and jogging, to cross country skiing and soccer, to birding and travelling. She was never at a loss for something fun to be doing. Still, the thing she loved most was spending time with family and friends.
She worked tirelessly for the betterment of the community. Starting in community theatre , she went on to Pathways to Education, managing Recycle Cycles, to founding and running the Community Music School of Waterloo Region and finally on to managing the DBT program at CMHA, as well as her own counselling practice. She was constantly putting those who needed a helping hand ahead of herself. She was deeply devoted to and loved by family friends, colleagues, roommates, and almost anyone else whose life she touched in such moving and profound ways.
Sadly , mental illness can take a person to a terrible dark place. We lost Kari to depression and anxiety disorder that made the future so bleak for her that she saw no point in going on living. In her final note she said, "Please apologize to all the friends I've been avoiding but I can't see a future for myself". She took her own life Saturday, September 17.
Struggles with mental health are under appreciated and misunderstood. But there is help.
For anyone struggling PLEASE reach out; there are people who understand and care.
For 24/7 crisis support, call Here 24/7 at (844) 437-3247
Kari cared deeply for anyone struggling and would want you to get the support you need.
Kari's family will receive relatives and friends from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2022 and from 9:30-10:15 a.m. on Sunday, September 25, 2022 at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St., Kitchener (519) 749-8467. Memorial Service in the chapel on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.. Those unable to attend may view Kari's service on Sunday via the following live stream link: Service Recording. The recording will be available for three weeks following.
There will be a reception following the service.
12:00 to 3:00 at KW Little Theatre, On Princess just east of King in Waterloo. All are welcome.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the CMHA - Crisis and Suicide Prevention Donate-CMHA Waterloo Wellington or Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council Make a Donation-WRSPC would be appreciated (cards available at the funeral home).
Visit www.henrywalser.com to view Kari's memorial.