Karen Renee (Porter) Hazle of Ventura, CA, lost her courageous battle with cancer on May 4, 2010, surrounded by her husband & three children. Karen was born in Marysville, CA, on September 24, 1957, to Robert and Marlene Porter. She graduated from Yuba City High School in 1975, received an AA degree from Yuba Community College in 1977 and earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees from California State University in Sacramento. While finishing her Master's program thesis for CSUS, Karen returned to Yuba College to teach G.E.D. classes as a long-term substitute for the spring semester. Karen's professional career as a Technical Writer and Management Analyst spanned 25 years with the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Port Hueneme, CA. She supported numerous community service projects, was involved with her two sons Boy Scout endeavors and her daughter's equestrian activities. In the last few years, she supported and participated in the Relay For Life. Karen enjoyed everything life had to offer. During her high school years she was a Fremont Hospital Jr. Auxiliary volunteer, an avid skier, loved gymnastics and competed for a local swim club. Hiking remained a favorite activity throughout her life. Karen and her husband Bob enjoyed sailing by crewing various regattas and long distance sail races in Southern California. They remained members of the Ventura Yacht Club, where they were married 21 years ago. Karen is survived by husband Robert and three children, Jacquelyn (17), Sean (14) and James (11); parents, Robert and Marlene Porter of Yuba City; brother Matthew Porter (Carol) of Johnson City, TN; sisters Deby Wright of South Lake Tahoe and Andrea Porter of Oakland; nephews Ian Huntley of Marysville, Brandon and Joseph Porter of TN; uncle Donald Wise (Sandy) of Alpine, CA; niece Catherine Hontos (Jonah) of Chico; brother-in-law Alan Hazle (Vicki) of Wisconsin, and their children Julie, Chris, Ron and Greg; cousins Renee Addison and Mark Wise of CA; and numerous extended family and friends who loved her dearly. A memorial service to celebrate Karen's life will be held at The Ventura Yacht Club, Ventura, CA. Arrangements are under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory. Condolences may be left at www.tedmayrfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Project Understanding of Ventura or the American Cancer Society. Karen's zest for life and high energy inspired friends and family, and the strength and dignity she showed at her life's end is a lesson for all. She will truly be missed! Send Condolences at www.appealdemocrat.com

The following is from Ventura News Paper:

Karen Renee Hazle ended her courageous battle with cancer Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at home, surrounded by her family: husband, Robert, and three children, Jacquelyn (17), Sean (14), and James (11). Karen is also survived by her parents, Marlene and Robert Porter; brother and sister-in-law, Mathew and Carol Porter; sisters, Deby Wright and Andrea Porter; niece, Catherine Hontos, and her husband, Jonah; brother-in-law, Al Hazle, and his wife, Vicki; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who love her dearly.

Those who knew Karen saw her accomplish most anything she put her mind to. She loved trying new things: snow skiing (either with the Ski Club or with her family), gymnastics, and competitive swimming. Hiking remained a favorite activity throughout her life. Karen and Bob enjoyed sailing by crewing on various regattas and long distance sail races in Southern California, and are still members of the Ventura Yacht Club, where they were married 21 years ago. Karen was involved in her sons' Boy Scouting and daughter's equestrian activities. She supported numerous community service projects throughout her life and in the last few years was a participant in the Relay For Life.

Karen earned her B.A and M.A. degrees from California State University in Sacramento. She grew up in Yuba City and graduated from Yuba City High. An avid reader, she enjoyed a wide variety of authors and styles including "the classics" (e.g. Faulkner, Dickens, Shakespeare, Hemingway, Twain). She was a California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Life Member. Her professional career spanned 25 years with the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, where she was a Technical Writer and Management Analyst. She was a 26-year resident of Ventura County.

A memorial service for friends and family to celebrate Karen's life will be 12 to 3 p.m., Saturday May 22, at The Ventura Yacht Club, 1755 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, 805-642-0426.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Project Understanding or the American Cancer Society.

Karen's zest for life and high energy inspired friends, family, and neighbors, and the strength and dignity she showed at her end is a lesson for all. She is missed by many.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at www.tedmayrfuneralhome.com