Karin Peace

Laughter, light, and love are what you brought to us all. Now, the world is less funny and less light, but the unconditional love you gave your family and friends lives on.  

Loving wife and mother, the Ohm, Momi, German, Berliner, adventurer, explorer, world traveler, businesswoman, lover of Basset Hounds, artist, green thumb, Elvis fan, incredible cook, card-shark, tireless entertainer, rug-cutter. You were all these things, and now we have been reminded of just how incredibly tough, brave, and optimistic you were, with a soul that’s gentle and pure. 

Karin E. Peace was born on July 5, 1944, in Berlin, Germany during the 2 nd World War. Amazingly, despite how young she was, she retained memories of spending time in bomb shelters with her family. She was an only-child, born to Gerda and Rudi Pest. She shared an extra special bond with her mother, whom we hope she is once again joyfully embracing. 

Karin met her husband, Michael Peace, in 1963 in Berlin while he was stationed at Tempelhof Airforce Base. She joined him in Roswell, NM in 1965, where they were married in a simple
ceremony that was the start of a 58-year adventure.

They lived in Austin, TX, Harrisburg, PA, then Holbrook, NY after Michael accepted a job with the FAA at JFK airport. While in New York, Karin enrolled at a prestigious beauty school and earned her cosmetology license. She was also a colorist for Schwarzkopf, teaching others how to use their product. It was a perfect fit, as she had always been interested in hair and skin care;
she never left home without a little lipstick! Plus, she was a real people-person. She never met a stranger and always wanted to help.  

After New York, Karin lived in Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Pennsylvania (again), and Virginia. She owned and operated a beauty salon while in South Carolina and opened three successful salons, Hair Quarters, while in Virginia. She managed these shops until she and Michael retired to Ocala, Florida in 2004.  

While living in Ocala, she showed everyone the meaning of strength and determination, but her illness proved to be too much. She did not go gentle into that good night but raged against the dying light. Before that time, though, she hiked the Alps, jumped many waves, scuba dived, parasailed, rode a horse in the oceans of Jamaica, climbed a waterfall, went on many cruises,
painted many pictures, planted countless flowers, went camping all over Florida, swam like a fish in the Gulf, springs, and pool, rejuvenated with many visits to the beach, rode a bike in St.
Lucia, rode a moped she won in a raffle in Puerto Rico, visited rainforests, climbed the pyramids of the sun and moon in Mexico, traveled the world, and much, much more.

Karin left us bereaved on August 3, 2023. She is survived by her husband and best friend of 60 years, Michael Peace; daughter, Christina Beck; son, Stephen Peace; son-in-law, John Beck;
daughter-in-law, Pamela Tovar; five grandchildren, Tristan Beck and Morgan Beck, who are both in the U.S. Navy, Lincoln Beck of Gainesville, Marcus Peace of Ocala, and Teresa Peace,
who resides in Mexico City, Mexico; and her beloved Basset Hounds, Bailey and Charlie. She also leaves behind lifelong friends among the many places she lived and the many lives she
touched.

I’ve lived a life that’s full
I travelled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way – excerpt from “My Way”, her chosen funeral song (Elvis version, of course)

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to your local SPCA (her choice), or the Hospice of Marion County at www.hospiceofmarion.com or 352-873-7400 Ext. 2050. The dedicated staff at
the E.W. & Lucille Cates House did a wonderful job comforting Karin, family and friends during her final journey. We feel she would wholeheartedly agree to the worthiness of this cause.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Karin Peace, please visit our floral store.