Karen J. McGihon, 73

Karen J. McGihon, 73, peacefully passed away on Aug. 26, 2020, at Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains, surrounded by the staff from the Little Bitterroot Services Inc. (LBSI) Group Home where Karen has lived for 17 years.

Karen was born on Sept. 18, 1946, in Kalispell to Marjorie and Charles McGihon. She attended Flathead County High School until emerging disabilities in 1963 resulted in Karen being placed in residential care settings until her final placement at LBSI in 2003. It is worth noting that the family has seen a step-change improvement in the developmental disability programs over Karen’s lifetime in an effort to promote an effective, challenging and safe lifestyle for the clients and one that encourages wellness, and as much independence as possible.

“Norma and I would especially like to thank the LBSI staff for their professional support, care and compassion.”

Karen was preceded in death by father Charles McGihon, mother Marjorie Lilja Desch, stepfather Melvin Desch and sister Elizabeth Ann McGihon.

Karen is survived by her brother Ron McGihon and his wife Norma of Chantilly, Virginia; brother Robert Desch and his wife Michelle of Bigfork; niece Shaele Culbreath of Charlottesville, Virginia; and nephew Scott McGihon of Abbotsford, British Columbia, along with spouses and families.

Norma continued to share pictures of the family members, which enabled Karen to enjoy her family from a distance.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is handling arrangements for Karen’s family. Cremation has taken place. The family is planning a future private virtual memorial service to eliminate travel during the COVID-19 pandemic and allowing participation by the family members and Karen’s care givers who are located from the East Coast to the West Coast and Canada.