KAREN DENISE WILLIAMS ALTARAS

This photo is me in October 2021, three months before I learned I had gastric cancer. I made it through breast cancer in 2002 and again in 2013, but this cancer snuck up on me. Cancer is relentless, but it gave me the opportunity to tell you my story. I am a very lucky lady. 

I was born March 20, 1958 in Cleburne Texas. My parents Roland and Linda Williams were of modest means. But they raised me and my beautiful sisters Shelly and Melissa with much love, and taught us to work hard and treat others with kindness. In the 60s and 70s, I had it all—a Spyder bike, a record player, Monkees’ and Beatles’ albums, chores, a library card and curly hair. I grew up knowing I could live life on my own terms, and I did. Thank you Mom. 

After high school I began my first career as a dental/orthodontic assistant. It was a great job where I met lifelong friends and always enjoyed Friday afternoons off. I also went to school at night to earn my undergraduate degree, and entered Baylor Law School in 1988 at age 30.

My law school experience was one of the most challenging, fulfilling and fun times of my life. Sadly, we lost my Dad in January of 1990 before I graduated law school. It was devastating. Great friends helped me through, thank you Joetta. 

Practicing law in the ‘90s was fun, as were weekly happy hours after work at Billy Miner’s. I practiced health care law with some of the best lawyers in Fort Worth for 18 years. That was enough for me. 

In 1995 I met the love of my life, Kent Altaras. Thank you Tara and Wendy. I knew on our third date that I had found my partner, mi media naranja. We married in New Orleans in 1997 during the Jazz Festival. We began our marriage with adventures too numerous to recount. Along the way, I watched as my redheaded step children, Melissa and Matthew, became amazing adults and parents. What a privilege. 

Kent and I traveled as often as we could, and especially loved Paris and Marrakesh. We once hiked the nine mile Samaria Gorge on the Greek island of Crete. At the end of the day-long journey, we shared the best Snickers bar and cold can of Coke ever. But our special place was San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Kent introduced me to that magical town in 1996; we built a home there in 2017. Thank you Kent for being my adventure and travel partner for 29+ years of incredible, happy experiences. 

Good times with my family and dear friends rounded out my joyfilled life. Thank you friends and neighbors in Fort Worth and San Miguel, my Thirsty Thursday gals, my Bosom Buddies, the Modern Docents, and the Urban Yoga yogis for sharing your time with me. 

I was preceded in death by my loving Dad, my dear friend Bette Mebane, Jimmy Buffett and our beloved 17 year old dachshund Rocky. (For maximum joy, I recommend owning a dachshund at least once in your life. And driving around in a convertible listening to Jimmy Buffett with said dachshund.) 

I am survived by Kent, the best husband and sweetest man in the universe, really. He has been by my side through every challenge and kept us going. And there is Tres, our feisty young dachshund (Rocky II?). I am also survived by my family: my mom Linda, my sisters and their husbands, Shelly and Doug Keller and Melissa and Mark Brown, and my nieces and nephews Brooke, Colt, Cade and Cheyanne and their adorable children. So much love in my life! 

I owe a special thank you to my team of professionals at Texas Oncology, especially Chi Pham, MD and Crystal Martinez, RN. 

I hope my family and friends will toast to happy memories, with a Tito’s martini for me—up and dirty. Celebrate the joy of life every day, and dance every chance you get. Know that mine was a life well lived.

 Non fui, fui, non sum, non curo. 

A celebration of my life will be held at Tulips, 112 St. Louis Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas November 6, 2024 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Please dress casual. 

In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the Tarrant Area Food Bank or charity of your choice.