Karen left Dayton and this earth yesterday. Way to early, and totally unexpectedly. She left her two children, Coco and Hector behind, and her former husband Jim Gagnet. Her seat on the Dayton School board will miss her for the last two meetings, and hers and Jim’s restaurant, Coco’s Bistro on Warren Street will be missing a driving force. But, what’s worse is our community will have lost a woman who put community first in everything she did. There wasn’t a charitable organization she would say no to, a fundraiser she wouldn’t hold, or make donations to help people make Dayton a better place.
Her last effort to put her mark on the community, to run to be a City Commissioner came up short, but again, it was her goal to make Dayton a better place. And that will forever be her legacy.
Before the school board, she was a driving force for the Seedling Foundation, raising money for Stivers School for the Arts. Her Sunday Brunch’s in the month of February to support Stivers were legendary.
I’ve known Jim and Karen for a long time. I’ve done work for both of them. They’ve been neighbors, friends and confidants. Supporters and since Karen got elected to the School Board Karen’s been a bit of a frenemy, although she hosted my 60th birthday party/fundraiser for Congress. Politics can ruin friendships as we all know.
Hearing that she passed, going from healthy to dying of sepsis very quickly from a case of pancreatitis has hit me like a ton of bricks.
Trying to sum up her life in a meaningful way tor the community to realize the gift we had is difficult. Thinking about all the conversations we had, and the advice she gave me when things were challenging, comes down to a few simple ideals.
Treat people as you want to be treated.
Time heals all wounds.
Try to make the world a better place than how you found it.
Live with intention.
Karen was born of simple means in Versailles Ohio Jan 3, 1961. She passed December 6 2025.
Although she loved fashion, and gave Imelda Marco’s a run on a shoe collection, she found great beauty in simple things.
Her restaurant was her happy place, making a special place for people to celebrate special times and to come together to break bread and create new futures.
Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming and I will post them when I know more.
I’m sorry for your loss, David, and for the loss to the community.
I hope you, and those who knew Karen, take comfort in remembering the good times you shared with her – meals, drinks, work, tears, laughs, loves, and making things better.
I did not know Karen, but it appears to me that she lived a life full of what she loved doing. She evidently cared deeply about the important things that mattered in life. I bet she has already been given her golden shoes to wear on the Heavenly road. We should all be so lucky.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcOQSk_cMO0&list=RDtcOQSk_cMO0&start_radio=1