Karen Diane Cadmus was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, mother and wife who was taken too soon by cancer at the age of 46. She put up a very courageous, yet short battle against melanoma. Karen was born in Nampa, Idaho on September 13th, 1971 to Dennis and Sandy Scheffert.
Karen was a very caring person. Even as a young child, she looked after her younger siblings, Kim and Kevin. Karen quickly realized the struggles people with developmental disabilities had to go through, as Kevin had down-syndrome.
This realization helped to shape Karen into the incredible person she was. Karen always stood for what was right, especially when it came to her brother Kevin. During her childhood, Karen looked forward to summer camps where she was able to help the local ARC groups.
Karen was raised in Nampa and graduated from Nampa High School in 1989. Following her graduation, Karen moved to New York City where she became a nanny. Karen moved back in 1991, later meeting and marrying Dennis Crosley in 1993.
Throughout their marriage, they had two wonderful children, Kyle and Morgan, and resided in Nampa until their divorce in 2012. After becoming a single parent, Karen wanted to continue her education and was working towards a degree in social work at the College of Western Idaho. Karen studied hard, was a good student, and was only a few credits shy of earning her Associates degree at the time of her death.
In 2013, Karen met her soul mate, Mike Cadmus, and they quickly fell in love. They were married July 23rd, 2015 in Mike’s home state of New Jersey. The two then settled in Caldwell, ID with Karen’s daughter Morgan, and Mike’s children, Michael and Hannah.
Mike made Karen the happiest woman in the world, constantly helping build up her self-confidence and encouraging her to achieve her goals. In 2016, Karen had a small procedure done to remove a malignant mass from her shoulder. Two years later, in May of 2018 Karen was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, which had spread to her brain and numerous areas of the body.
Although short, Karen put up a courageous battle. She went through various treatments and appointments, all with a smile on her face. Even during this tough time, Karen had a positive outlook on her life and was so very grateful for the overwhelming support she had from not only her family, but complete strangers.
Karen wanted everyone to know how important sunscreen is and became a strong advocate for it following her diagnosis. Karen was a creative person and enjoyed arts & crafts, quilting, painting, and making home decor. Karen dedicated herself to her family and their activities.
She loved the holidays and any reason for the family to get together. They all meant so much to her. Karen was an amazing mother, not only to her biological children, but to her step children as well.
Karen always encouraged them to follow their dreams and to do their best in everything. Karen never made her children doubt her love, always making sure they knew how much they meant to her. Karen was a great sister, always sticking up for her siblings and teaching them that it’s okay to stand up for what is right.
She was a strong advocate for people with disabilities and constantly reminded people of the negative impact of the “R” word. Karen volunteered for many years with Special Olympics of Idaho. Karen was a great daughter, constantly making her father and mother proud of the woman they raised.
She had an amazing group of friends whom she held so closely. Karen’s contagious smile lit up every room she entered, welcoming many to become her friend. Karen will be remembered for her kindness, bravery, compassion and the love she displayed for life and her family.
Karen is survived by her husband Mike, children Kyle (Ashleigh) and Morgan, step-children Hannah and Michael, parents Dennis and Sandy, sister Kim (Reggie), brother Kevin, niece Lauryn, nephews D’von and Tayven, and numerous extended family members. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday September 11th, 2018 at Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel at 415 12th Avenue So. , Nampa, ID 83686.
Following the service, close friends and family are invited to gather at the Scheffert home for a reception. A special thanks to the staff at St. Luke’s MSTI, and all those involved in her care. Donations can be made to her go-fund me @ uk.
gofundme.com/karen-cadmusmedical-treatment. Additional donations may be made in her honor to Special Olympics Idaho, or the Melanoma research foundation.
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