Karen L. (Pyles) Slater

Karen L. (Pyles) Slater passed away unexpectedly on February 6, 2025, after a brief illness, leaving behind her beloved dog Lucy, several relatives and numerous friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold W. Slater; and loyal companions, Virgin Snow, Streaker, Liebchen, Charlie (the dogs) and Spook (the cat).

She was born August 1, 1938, to Bernard L. Pyles and Coral (Dowis) Pyles in Wellington, Kansas, where she also attended elementary school four days a week and commuted to Wichita to study piano and ballet. Her family eventually moved to Wichita, where she continued to study piano, ballet, jazz, modern dance, tap and art until graduating from Wichita East High School. She attended Wichita State University earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Speech/Drama and English, and a minor in Education. She completed her coursework at the University of Kansas, earning a master's degree in Theatre Arts.

Following graduation, she taught Drama, Speech and English in Russell, Kansas, for a year; followed by 31 years in Wichita, Kansas where she used her knowledge of music, dance and art to direct four plays per year. In 1998, she and her husband moved to Albuquerque, NM, where she started teaching again, 10 years at West Mesa High School, and part time at Sylvan Learning Center until about 2015.

The five things that gave her the most pleasure during her lifetime were teaching, directing plays and musicals, dancing, listening to jazz in New Orleans, and devoting time and love to animals. And the one thing she would most like to be remembered for is "being an excellent educator."

Services will be held Friday, February 28, 2025, 11:00 a.m., at FRENCH - University, followed by interment at Sunset Memorial Park at 12:30 p.m. At a future date, a tree planting and dedication will be held in her memory at Loma del Rey Park.

If you wish to remember Karen, in lieu of flowers please contribute to Animal Humane/New Mexico, 615 Virginia St. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, 505-255-5523; and visit her at Sunset Memorial Park -- Best Friends Forever, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE.