Obituary of Karen Nesbitt

Dr. Karen Ann Nesbitt

30 December 1964 – 12 October 2025

It is with profound sadness that we share the news of Karen’s passing after a courageous battle with breast cancer. 

Born in Kitchener, ON to Georgie Nesbitt (Gadbois) and Bob Nesbitt (deceased) (Susan Gick). She is survived by her brother Pat (Nancy), nephew Jake (MacKenzie), cousins Kim Koenjer (John), Tyler (Sadie), Katie (Derik), Derek Warren (Tammy), Rodney, Samantha, Hilary, Kayla and Rob Nesbitt, and her border terriers Pop and Beep. 

Karen went to Queen’s University and  achieved her BscH in Life Sciences, and her MSc in Cardiovascular Physiology.   In 1992 she graduated with her Doctor of Dentistry from McGill University.    She started her career in Napanee where she lived and worked for ten years. 

She continued to learn and grow but found she really wasn’t suited to solo practice. She sold her practice, and began working at Cataraqui Dental Centre. This was a happy and good fit where she could use her skills while continuing to pursue her love of learning. 

In 1996 she brought home Ruby, her first Border Terrier. This was the start of a 30 year breeding program which Karen was very proud of earning numerous accolades at dog shows in Canada, Bermuda and the US.  She made friends from all over the world and has many grand champion dogs that carry the name “Thistlebitt”.

Karen loved to get up before dawn to capture the sunrise with over four thousand pictures.  

In 2005 she bought her first camper so she could combine all her hobbies; dogs, sunrises and campfires!

2022 was one of the worst years and one of the best years. She was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Karen fully retired and began to live life to its fullest.  She met her “tribe” The Chestmates, travelled, raced around in her “Purple People Eater” and met her 2 new cousins Charlotte and Dalton.

Despite Karen’s illness she continued to be fully engaged in life – literally waking up at the crack of dawn and loved to start her day by the St. Lawrence River capturing the sunrise with her camera, then a walk with the dogs, chats with friends and her Mom and then wanted to be out of the house for an adventure. She wasn’t good at sitting still and was always on the go.  Karen was a talented knitter, sewer, quilter and shopper there wasn’t much that she couldn’t do.  Karen will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her. 

We would like to thank her Chestmates for their unwavering support. A special thank you as well to Dr Wilson, the Bayshore Healthcare Team, Brockville Palliative Care and to Tom Holmes and Gord Lansdown.   

Karen leaves behind - after family 

Long term friends Jane, Stacey, Sheila,  Janet,  Tracey and the border terrier community 

At Karen’s request a celebration of her life will be held at Ivy Lea Restaurant, 61 Shipman’s Lane, Lansdowne, on 2 November 2025 from 1-4 pm.  In memory of Karen, donations to Breast Cancer Action Kingston Chestmates or the BDHF Palliative Care would be appreciated by the family.