Karyn O'Harrow

Karin Marie O'Harrow, lovingly known to family and friends as Karyn, passed away surrounded by the love she spent a lifetime giving to others.

Karyn was born Karin Marie Cassidy on February 24, 1960, in Everett, Washington, to Beverly Anne Pechtel and Robert Emmett Cassidy. When she was young, the family settled in Portland's Laurelhurst neighborhood, where she grew up alongside her siblings, Kevin, Kristi, and Kyle. She attended All Saints Catholic School and later St. Mary's Academy. Her childhood was filled with many activities including, swimming for the Multnomah Athletic Club, cheerleading at Central Catholic, countless adventures with friends in Laurelhurst Park, and working at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor.

After graduation, Karyn spent a year working at The Grand Canyon in Arizona. One of Karyn's favorite jobs upon her return home was at Poncho's Mexican Restaurant. It was there that she found not only work she loved but friendships that lasted a lifetime. That special group enjoyed yearly trips to Mazatlán, Mexico, which was one of the highlights of her young life.

At age 23, Karyn met the love of her life, Michael "Mike" O'Harrow. Together they built a beautiful life centered on family, and adventure, raising three children, Kirstin, Jeremy, and Cassidy.

Weekdays were flooded with children sports where Karyn spent years volunteering in snack shacks, scorekeeping, shuttling kids, and occasionally even coaching. Weekends often meant loading up the motorhome and heading to races with the Portland Quarter Midget Racing Association. While many knew Karyn as the Head Flagger, her family knew her as the fearless driver who confidently hauled the motorhome and race trailer across thousands of miles, from Canada to Colorado and everywhere in between. She never seemed intimidated by the journey, only excited for wherever it would lead her family next.

If there was one thing Karyn believed, it was that no one should ever leave her house hungry. Her favorite thing when her kids were growing up was to “feed the whole neighborhood”. Feeding people was her love language, making her career in dietary at Providence Portland Medical Center a perfect fit. Even after retirement, her servant's heart continued through years of volunteering at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank at St. Charles Catholic Church, where she humbly cared for neighbors in need.

Although she officially retired from work, Karyn never retired from what she loved most: taking care of her family. She happily stepped into her favorite role yet as Grandma. “Amma” poured her heart into her eight grandchildren: Lennox, Colette, Leonidas, Marley, CJ, Mackenzie, Hudson, and Jettson. Whether cheering from the sidelines, making favorite meals, or surprising them with presents, she gave each grandchild the gift of her love.

No place captured Karyn's heart quite like Cannon Beach. Every summer, she eagerly anticipated one treasured week there with her entire family. The traditions were sacred and included, fresh Haystack Bread (first stop!), crabbing in Nehalem Bay, soaking up the sunshine at "the creek," and rising to prepare hot breakfasts for each family member as they were ready to eat. She loved being a “short order cook” and no one will ever forget her famous "crunchy pan-a-cakes," which always tasted best at the beach.

She is now reunited in Heaven with her parents, Beverly and Robert Cassidy, her sister, Kristi, and her parents-in-law, Bob and Ginger O’Harrow. She leaves behind her devoted husband, Mike, her brother, Kevin, her children, Kirstin, Jeremy, and Cassidy, her beloved grandchildren, and countless extended family members and dear friends who will miss her deeply.

Karyn's legacy lives on in many ways. Think of her every time the Yankees play baseball, Stevie Wonder comes on your radio, every road trip to Cannon Beach, every St. Patrick’s day while making corned beef, each Rose Festival parade, and every time James Bond comes on your television.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Karyn's memory to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank (be sure to select St. Charles St. Vincent de Paul Conference for the fund).

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