This is the first I knew of Kake's passing. I never actually met her but we spoke on the phone a couple of times while Jane and I were together and more recently we exchange emails about the loss of our moms and other subjects on a somewhat regular basis. She helped me keep my perspective while caring for my mom.

As Barry has stated words sent electronically are just not enough. I know Kake will be missed incredibly on this list; she has a spirit and will that saw her through many battles. You, those in her family and that knew her are in my thoughts.

I have lost another wonderful dear friend. She will indeed be missed by everyone. Kake always had the ability to tell it like it is yet do so in a manner where feelings were not hurt.

The list keeps getting longer: Larry Sonnenberg, Carrie Lundquist, Jerry Miller, Karen Scott

Fred, my sympathies and thoughts go out to you.

I did not know Kake personally, but felt like I did through this board. She will be missed.

My condolences go out to you and your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Kake was one of my closest friends on this list, and one of the few members I had met face to face, which occurred twice. We sent emails off list frequently, and occasionally talked on the phone.

Full of energy, she did much to help the transplant community, such as speaking to different groups.

She also was one of the owner/moderators of this group.

Karen was a very dear, close friend for many years, and I will miss her terribly. she was always there whether to brainstorm on some medical issue or share a joke. She had a terrific sense of humor, and was ever unselfish in helping others, She helped hundreds on this list deal with their small to large problems, often while ignoring her own. The group owes her a debt of gratitude. She had dogged determination in everything she did. Whenever I was in the hospital or seriously ill, she would track me down no matter where I was. She wrote me that just last Sunday night, as I was heading off to surgery. She was a tremendous comfort to my husband when I was in the hospital for 3 months, often being the only person he had to talk with. Early Tuesday morning she emailed him to see how I was after surgery, and said she'd be calling me in the morning.

I am very sad at thinking of how few of our original reunion group is left. We've lost Tim, Jane, Larry, Jan, Carrie, Jerry and now Kake. I kept telling people that I didn't think we'd have another reunion until Kake was well enough to come. Don't think that will happen now, and it wouldn't be the same, anyway. The rest of you are very important to me. Take good care of yourselves and cherish your lives. Do it for Kake.

I will definitely miss Kake as she has helped me ever since March 14, 2000. I will be praying for peace and comfort for you and your family.

I know Kake is in a better place now without any pain.

Fred, I considered Kake to be such a courageous pioneer and a dear friend. She always reached out to the rest of us with enlightenment from going down the road ahead of some of us. I am sorry I could not help but cry at reading this post and instantly told my daughter cause she had heard me talk about how smart and witty she is. I will pray for you and her family. So sorry.

Fred, This is the first I am hearing of Kake's death. I am so very saddened and shocked to hear about this. We were just emailing a couple days ago about my current situation. I never met Kake in person, but we have communicated both on and off list since 2001. She has been so helpful to me, and so many others here, I just cannot believe she is not here with us anymore. I could not help but read your post and weep, not only because she will truly be so missed here, but because this really hits close to home.

Kathy makes a great point. Everybody, take the best care you can of yourselves, not only for yourself, but in Kake's honor. I know that I certainly will.

Fred, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

I am shocked and saddened by this post. Completely blown away. My best for you and family and friends.

Thank you for telling us about your loss Fred. Although we never met in person, Karen has been a friend to me for many years. I am at a loss for words.

Fred, I'm sorry to here this. You are truly in my thoughts & Prayers. I didn't know Kake on a personal level but anyone who was a part of this board could say they "knew" of her. She was a huge part of this board and will be missed. Her struggles are over and what a fighter she was.

I had the pleasure to meet Kake (Karen) and Fred at a couple of Transplant Games and Reunions as well as others in this group. Karen got her transplant 6 months before mine. She used to call me "Davey". Like a lot of others on here, she and I were good friends and we told each other our opinions on subjects.

The first time I met her, it was her straight forward approach and her wicked sense of humor that got me right away. She and Fred were never blind, in my eye. They did everything, just like the seeing...no fuss, just do it. I will miss her and my sympathies go to Fred. As Kemp mentioned in his list of friends that have passed, I too knew all of them and met them. My list of the people in this group, I have met, is getting shorter.

This group has taken a big hit, as one of our original members has left us. I have been on this group for a long time and I'm not as active, on here, as I once was. I read everything. Kake will be missed, for sure, by anyone who talked to her or read her E-mails. Everyone take care! We don't need or want to lose anyone else.

My thoughts and sympathies to Fred. I'm thinking of both of you.

I was so shocked to read this email this morning. Kake had always reached out to me whenever I had an issue of any sort that she had advice to offer me on and we emailed quite a few times off list. She always had a way of putting things where you felt both elated and enlightened if that makes any sense whatsoever. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to Fred and the rest of her family as I cannot even imagine how they must be feeling. I will be sure to go to the Memorial page thank you so much for sharing it.

I am joining the many, many people whose lives Karen touched in mourning her passing. Her thoughtfulness and willingness to reach out to those of us seeking answers and compassion will be remembered.

Fred, I am so sorry for your loss. She was so supportive to so many of us.

Fred, I will be posting on the memorial site also but I wanted to tell you along with everyone else how much Kake will be missed. Kake was definitely a one of a kind and someone I grew to respect greatly in my early years on this list. My first conversation with Kake was when she cold called me in 2008 when I was on one of my UCLA Medical Center vacations. We had talked a few years before about arranging a reunion and I will forever be saddened we did not make that get together happen. We talked about your grand-kids and my small daughter. As I told Lisa, although we all suffer from a certain fragility, Kake seemed to possess a short term indestructibility which made her passing so much more difficult. I now know reading all of the other posts that i was one of many many people that Kake took time to know and share her humor and wisdom with, but she always made me feel like a special friend. I guess that was part of her gift too. Fred, I know that you were everything to Kake and the sense of loss must be profound, but if there was ever a life to be celebrated, it was Kake's. She is and will always be one of my hero's. The words are failing me now. If you are ever in need of a friend in Los Angeles, suffice it to say, i am at your service. Please take care Fred. Kake is watching you and watching over you.

I am so sorry. Diabetes is such a sucky disease! Kake has been a friend and support for many people - us included. We got the pleasure of meeting her when she came to our house while visiting in Seattle. Kake also called me several times when things were going rough for Russ. I also turned to her when dealing with insurances. I will so miss her support - and especially reading her posts. We are not that active, but we read it all - and I never missed reading Kake's - full of wisdom and her humor. I was in shock when I read your e-mail. Russ went into the hospital on the same day - due to vomiting. He was released today, and I shared with him about Kake. She was our inspiration to keep fighting. We will really miss her! She was very special - and our heart goes out to you and her family.

Karen was truly the heart and soul of this list and help to keep it going during some rough times in early days. her positive attitude and knowledge will be missed more than i can say.

I am so very sad to here that Kake (as I always think of her) has passed. All of the superlative comments are so right on and so well deserved. She helped me so much with my own eye problems and she, by her example, taught me so much about how to live and how to be. I will miss her and hope the best for Fred and her family.

Longtime TOSA volunteer and friend, Karen Kennamer Scott passed away July 3 while awaiting a kidney transplant. Karen began volunteering with TOSA years ago after she received a kidney and pancreas transplant in 1990. She enjoyed sharing her story with high school students, encouraging them to speak with their families about organ donation. She also helped guide prospective recipients on the transplant process. Karen will be missed!

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