Karen Sapienza

Karen organized and presided over San Francisco's Annual 1906 Great Earthquake & Fire Commemorations since 1980 as well as created numerous events for the Fire Fighter's Toy Program that provided thousands of toys for our City's neediest children. Karen passed away Friday at her home in Carlsbad, California.She attended Saint Anthony's Grammar School and Immaculate Conception Academy High School before graduating from Westmoor High School; she went on to earn a degree in art from Skyline College. Karen is survived by her parents Leo and Margaret Sapienza, her sisters Linda German, husband James German, sister Donna Gutridge, sister Diane Sapienza Boundy, husband Jay Boundy, nieces Nicole McNeal, husband Brian McNeal, niece Jennifer German, nephews Jimmy German, Clay Adams, Leo Sapienza-Adams, Foster Gutridge, niece London Gutridge and great niece Sydney McNeal and her late nephew Joshua Boundy. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, 06' Earthquake survivor families, and countless friends.Karen was proud of her work with her father in the Sapienza Real Estate Mission District office from 1980-1984 and for the many public relations campaigns, she assisted in for San Francisco Stories from 1990 - 1995.Family and friends may visit on Thursday after 5:00PM and are invited to attend the Vigil Service, also on Thursday, at 7:00PM and the Funeral Service on Friday at 10:00AM from the chapels of Valente Marini Perata & Co., 4840 Mission St., SF, thence to Immaculate Conception Chapel where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am. Online condolences may be offered to the family by clicking on the SIGN GUESTBOOK tab. Memorials: Donations may be made in her memory to the San Francisco Fire Fighters Toy Program. Visitations: 5:00PM to 9:00PM on Thursday, May 14th, 2009 at Valente Marini Perata & Co. Funeral Directors (Prayer at 7:00PM) (map/driving directions) 8:30AM to 10:00AM on Friday, May 15th, 2009 at Valente Marini Perata & Co. Funeral Directors (map/driving directions) Services: 10:30AM at Immaculate Conception on Friday, May 15th, 2009 (map/driving directions)

Karen Sapienza

May 1, 1952 - May 8, 2009