Karen grew up in Beverly Hills, Calif., where she graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1957. Karen’s first priority was her family’s happiness. Her caring heart was always thinking of others’ needs before her own. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-
grandmother and friend to many. Her warm heart, laughter and smile will always be in our memories.
Karen married Dr. David “Dave” H. Levitt on Sept. 4, 1959, in Las Vegas, Nev. They were happily married for 25 years until Dave’s early death in 1984. Karen and Dave had four children and raised them in Vista, Calif. Karen helped her husband in their private Veterinarian Hospital, Levitt Animal Hospital, in San Marcos, Calif., until his death. Later, she helped her son Art at his family owned local Village Market in Idyllwild, Calif., for many years, where customers would enjoy a daily chat and laugh with her.
She enjoyed raising livestock (sheep were her favorite) on her family farm which was named after her, “Karen Rae Farms.” Raising her family, Karen enjoyed family camping trips (Oy vey, four rambunctious kids), or a quiet drive with Dave. Later in life, she would enjoy a sunny drive by Tamarack Beach in Carlsbad, Calif., to sit and listen to the ocean waves break on the shore with her good friend Donna Zuniga. She also enjoyed playing a game of Skip-Bo with her family and friends. (If you didn’t know how to play, she was happy to teach you.) Karen cherished her daily phone calls with her mom, keeping her updated on the entire family and events of the day. Her grandkids were her pride and joy. Each and every grandchild at one point growing up as young adults, lived with her, where she spoiled them immensely. Karen was a lifetime member of the Girls Scouts of America, where she donated countless hours of her time as a leader, as well as being the Registrar and TOC for Vista Nueva, ensuring that the organization thrived for the development of young girls.
Karen is survived by her mother, Bernice Sitkoff “Bee” (96) of Santa Monica, Calif.; sister and brother-in-law Judi and Paul Laska of Marina Del Rey, Calif.; stepbrother and sister-in-law Barry and Terrie Sitkoff of Lake Tahoe, Calif.; stepsister Marilyn Sitkoff and Jack Epstein of San Francisco, Calif.; son and daughter-in-law Hal and Sharon Levitt of Manteca, Calif., son and daughter-in-law Art and Caryn Levitt of Mountain Center, Calif.; daughter and son-in-law Janet and Casey Jaworski of Stuart, Fla.; her grandchildren Aaron, Jenn, Cristy, Robert, Debi, Rob and Anna; and her great-grandchildren Naomi and Caitlyn.
Karen was preceded in death by her father, Harold “Bing” Miller; stepfather Al Sitkoff; her husband Dave Levitt; and her son Bob Levitt.
A private celebration of her life will be held off the shores of Carlsbad, Calif., where she will join her husband Dave and son Bob.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Girls Scouts of America, Imperial County Council, Attn: Karen Rae Levitt Opportunity Fund for Girls in Vista Service Unit #649, 1231 Upas Street, San Diego, CA 92103.
Her family wishes: “Mom, you will be in our hearts forever. We love you!”
Psalm 34: 17-19 KJV: The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and the Lord delivereth them out of their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the affections of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of all.