Karen Ann Roark's Obituary
Karen Roark Obituary
Karen Ann Marques was born at The Queen’s Hospital on January 20th 1952, the daughter of Mary and Joseph Marques. She grew up on the Leeward coast (Waianae and later Makakilo) graduating from Waianae High School in 1970. She married Ollney Hoopai in 1972 and together they had two sons —Kalei born on March 4th 1976 and Kaioni born on August 13th 1978.
In high school she worked for a brief period at Libby Cannery and then from 10th grade to graduation at Makaha Drive In. Frequent Air Force moves further diversified Karen’s employment resume. She worked at Holiday Mart in Pearl City, with the Army Air Force Exchange System in New Jersey, California, Colorado and Germany; Howard Johnson’s Gift Shop in South Dakota; and when back home the Honolulu Country Club as Food and Beverage Manager, subsequently for Elroy Chong Physical Therapy.
Her diverse background and interpersonal skills made her a natural choice to be part of the Pali Momi Hospital launch team in 1989. Starting as a receptionist for the Chief Operations Officer, she rapidly advanced to become Guest Services Manager to Director of Guest Services, Telecommunications, Security and Admissions with ancillary duties at Kapiolani Hospital as well.
In 1995 a change in ownership created a massive reorganization of Pali Momi with most of the locally hired Directors and mangers being replaced. While sorely disappointed, Karen again landed on her feet using her interpersonal skills to work in military lodging facilities at Schofield Barracks and later at Pearl Harbor’s VIP Lockwood Hall and Ford Island guest quarters, before settling on a career as a licensed Massage Therapist for 15 years at Leeward Physical Therapy.
Karen’s life was not just about surviving in the work environment. She raised her two sons, and pursued and achieved two Associate Degrees with honors from Leeward Community in Business Management and Accounting. Her accomplishments were recognized nation-wide. She was on the National Dean’s List 1990-1991, selected as a National Award Winner for the 1992 edition of the United States Achievement Academy, designated a Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges in 1992, earned inclusion in the 1992-1993 edition of Oxford’s Who’s Who of the Elite Registry of Extraordinary Professionals, and achieved selection in the first edition of American Women of Today in 1992.
In late 1987 amidst changes in marital status and careers, Karen met and then married Tom in May of 1988. For the next three decades they grew as a team, traveled the world, enjoyed life and shared an endless, unconditional love for each other. Caring, compassionate, outgoing, opinionated, instructive, passionate and personable were but a few of her many attributes. While some folks achieve “elevator speech” characteristics and have the perfect one-minute sales pitch, Karen was perfect at “elevator inquiries.” In the time it would take for a one minute elevator ride, she could develop a kinship with a stranger that might last forever. Simply put, she cared!! Her passing has left a huge hole in the hearts of those of us who deeply loved her .Donation Information: Please, no flowers. Family asks for donations (in lieu of flowers) in the name of Karen Roark to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center General Research Fund, using the link: https://giving.uhfoundation.org/funds/12388504
Visitation will be 5:00 pm, Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Mililani Memorial Park's Mauka Chapel. Memorial service 6:00 pm.
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