Donate to help Karen's beautiful family

On the evening of July 10, 2022, thirty-two-year-old Karen Garcia Rodriguez and her seven-and-a-half-month unborn baby girl, tragically lost their lives in an automobile accident. At the time of the collision, Karen was enroute to the hospital, where she served as a traveling nurse in Kingman, Arizona. Karen was a Registered Nurse, Beloved Wife, Dedicated Mother, and Community Leader. Neither Karen nor her baby girl survived their injuries.

Karen was born in Mexico City and came to the United States when she was only four years old and settled in Central Phoenix. Karen excelled in school and had dreams of serving her community. Due to her legal status, she was unable to receive the scholarships that she had earned in high school for college. Nevertheless, Karen prevailed.

She continued her education, built a family, supported them and put herself through Nursing School while pregnant. Karen was an extraordinarily ambitious and influential member of her family and community – paving the way for many that followed in her footsteps. She became a member of the Adult Education Honor Society at Rio Salado College, was accepted into the bilingual nursing fellowship program at Phoenix College and attended Gateway College, where she graduated from the Nursing Program and was accepted for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which allows immigrants in good standing that were brought to this country to seek a better life, allowing them to work or go to school. Karen served her community by working as a Nurse at the Burn Center at Maricopa County Hospital (Valleywise Health) and immediately rose to the challenge of working on the frontline battling the Covid-19 pandemic. She later accepted a position working as a Nurse at the Mayo Clinic Hospital.

Karen was also an activist in her community and volunteered her time advocating for awareness and leadership amongst the Hispanic population through the National Association of Hispanic Nurses - Phoenix Chapter (NAHN) - where she served as membership chair. In 2021, she felt compelled to leave her position to work as a traveling nurse, mid-Pandemic, answering the call after Hurricane Ida in New Orleans. She continued working as a travel nurse at Banner San Tan and Kingman Regional Hospital.

Karen’s dream was to create opportunities for DACA recipients as healthcare professionals and provide more resources for her community. Her efforts were admired by many – she was awarded 2019 Outstanding Student Member by NAHN, 2020 Leader of the Year by the Arizona Capitol Times, nominated for a Healthcare Hero Award through the Phoenix Business Journal, and recognized by ASU president, Michael Crow, for her innovative efforts in advancing healthcare in Arizona and the quality of life for Arizona Residents. She was recognized as an inspiring “dreamer” who battled on the frontline of the pandemic and interviewed with several news outlets championing the fight to keep DACA, which was challenged in the US Supreme Court.

Karen was best known for her kindness, compassion, warmth, cheerful disposition and selflessness by anyone who has met her. She was passionate about sharing her story with others to inspire change and encourage many to achieve their dreams. Evidenced by the outpouring of love and support by her family, friends, colleagues, and community, Karen and her unborn child will be missed immensely. Karen is survived by her husband, Mazi, her two beautiful children, Donovan (10) and Natalia (5), her parents, Mario and Nelba, and siblings, Mario and Israel.

Karen was an incredibly loving mother and dedicated provider. If you feel compelled to assist her family through this incredibly challenging time, please consider a donation to Karen’s GoFundMe.