Karen Copsey

Karen Copsey passed away peacefully at home on January 13 after a brief but valiant battle with brain cancer. Karen was born in Petaluma on November 2, 1953, to Jack Copsey and Barbara (Noble) Copsey. From age 7, she was raised by her mother and stepfather, Frank ("Buzz") Busby. Karen spent her early years in Dillon Beach, Arcata, and Shasta County before settling with her family in Mount Shasta in 1967. She graduated from Mount Shasta High School and College of the Siskiyous, and earned her degree in architecture from UC Berkeley.

She was a pioneer for women architects in the north state, and her design work can be found throughout Northern California. She began her career restoring the historical buildings in Old Sacramento and later moved to Redding, where she was a partner at Nichols, Melburg & Rossetto. During her 26 years with NM&R, she directed the completion of several projects at the College of the Siskiyous, including the Technology Centers at both the Yreka and the Weed campuses, and the main science building at the Weed campus. In addition, Karen completed projects for numerous other school districts and colleges, including Siskiyou Union High School District, Redding School District, Red Bluff Joint Union High School District, and College of the Redwoods. She also served as a licensing examiner for the California Architects Board and was a member of the Board of Directors of the College of the Siskiyous Foundation.

Karen was a creative force of nature. She was skilled at playing the guitar, piano, and violin, as well as vocal music. She was a talented artist and excelled at painting, drawing, sewing, quilting, and crafting. She loved to travel and was an expert skier, an avid hiker, and a certified yoga instructor. Karen retired to Mt. Shasta and devoted her time to these creative pursuits and activities. In recent years, she was an active member of the Siskiyou Art Association and the ArtRoster Atelier in Mt. Shasta. Her watercolor and oil paintings feature everything from landscapes to portraits of pets and people and replicas of the masters. She recently completed a series of streetscapes from cities she had visited around the world. Her award-winning art was displayed in local galleries and shows, as well as at the Pence Gallery in Davis and The Forgery Show at Morris Adjmi Architects in New York.

She was especially close to her family and enjoyed spending time with her siblings, nieces, and nephews. Her talent, humor, and kindness touched everyone who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

Karen leaves her husband of 35 years, John Adamson of Mount Shasta; siblings Glenda (and Steve) Paepke of Herald, John (and Joanne) Copsey of Redding, Brad (and Debbie) Copsey of Shingletown, Jennifer (and Chris) Ciccone of Dove Canyon, and Laurie (and Drew) Barton of Windsor; aunt Nikki Benson of Pleasant Hill; 18 nieces and nephews; 8 great nieces and nephews; her Bernese Mountain Dog, Eiger; and many wonderful friends.

To carry on Karen’s creative legacy, the Karen Copsey Memorial Fund has been established at the Community Foundation of the North State. Donations will benefit the arts and art programs in Siskiyou County. Memorial donations can be made online at https://cfnorthstate.org/donations/karen-copsey-memorial-fund/. Donations can also be sent to 1335 Arboretum Dr., Suite B, Redding, CA 96003.

A celebration of Karen’s life is planned for this spring in Mt. Shasta.