Karen Ileane Stoops

Karen Ileane Tschopp Stoops, 74, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on May 2, 2024, surrounded by her husband and daughter. She was born to Ernest and Myrtle Willett Tschopp on March 19, 1950 at the Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia. Karen graduated from Mount Vernon High School, Alexandria, Virginia in 1968. She graduated the Washington Hospital Center School of Nursing in Washington, D.C. in 1971; passing her boards and becoming a Registered Nurse. Karen also graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor Science (Magna Cum Laude) and a Master of Education; both in Psychology.

Karen married Dennis Stoops on July 25, 1970 and shared 53 loving and devoted years together. They had three children, Sean Christopher, Ian Patrick, and Erin Kristian.

Karen was a dedicated nurse, caring for patients in the areas of I.C.U., Med-Surg, Recovery, Oncology, Occupational and Public Health. In the late 70’s, she started a hospice unit at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She held several nursing jobs in civil service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army. After retiring from civil service, Karen continued her education to become Parish Nurse at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, where she served for several years, initiating health and wellness programs. She provided and coordinated blood pressure checks, flu shots, screening tests, and mobile blood donor services for the parishioners.

She traveled with her husband for thirty-one years while he served in the U.S. Navy. They lived in numerous locations from east coast to west coast and several overseas: Naples, Italy twice, Okinawa, Japan, and Ramstein, Germany. She loved the culture of Okinawa, Japan and enjoyed raising our young family there. While overseas, Karen enjoyed traveling throughout Europe, especially to Ireland which was her favorite place. She loved the landscapes and the many shades of green throughout the countryside.

Karen is survived by her husband, Dennis; daughter, Erin Stoops Davis; grandchildren, Liam and Logan Koebel, Cayden and Bria Stoops; brother-in-law Gary Stoops; nephew, Michael Stoops; nieces, Kristina Ward, Michelle Carney, Dr. Monica Stoops, and Samantha Wagaman.

She was preceded in death by her sons, Sean and Ian Stoops and her parents, Ernest and Myrtle Tschopp.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 18, 2024 at 11:00 at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Pensacola, Florida.