Karen S. (Turnock) Arutunoff

August 29, 1946   -   August 24, 2021

Karen Turnock Arutunoff, born August 29th, 1946, in South Bend, Indiana, died August 24th, 2021, at her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Karen grew up in South Bend where she attended St. Mary's Academy and J.W. Riley High School and was a state champion golfer and Basketball Queen. She later got degrees in psychology and education from Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame. In 1970, she married David Sheehan of Tulsa, Oklahoma, where, in 1979, she gave birth to their son, Trace Sheehan, or as she would always say, "MPAFHA" (My Precious Angel From Heaven Above). In 1996, she married Anatoly "Toly" Arutunoff at the Hotel du Palais in Biarritz, France, where together, every year, they would rally around Europe in one of Toly's incredible cars, guiding themselves and friends, from one fabulous chateau to the next, with their trusty Michelin guide book in hand, never missing the best restaurants or antique sales along the way.

From her home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, her incredible "joie de vivre" extended to everything she ever did -- heading up the Tulsa Junior League; being a board member at Oral Roberts University; leading the charge in their weekly bible study group; cheering on her favorite teams -- Notre Dame and Duke -- what though the odds be great or small; rescuing and giving better lives to all the dogs she loved and cherished; and, of course, throwing the best parties anyone ever went to, sparing no detail in her mission to celebrate others, their accomplishments, milestones, special occasions, or simply finding a fun reason to decorate, dress up and drink the finest champagne, of course.

Her beautiful and loving soul made every acquaintance instantly feel like family but she bestowed the brightest light and most incredible love upon her husband, Toly, her son, Trace, and her two grandbabies, Quinn and Oliver. No one in the world ever received more love than they did from Karen. But there's also never been anyone in the world like our Karen, our mom and our GiGi.

She will be laid to rest at Highland Cemetery in South Bend, Indiana, with her Turnock family. She is survived by her husband, Anatoly Arutunoff; her son and daughter-in-law, Trace and Maya Sheehan; her grandchildren, Quinn and Oliver; her nephews, Denis and Brian Turnock; and her niece, Maureen Young. She was predeceased by her brother, Denis Turnock, and parents, Pat and Fritzi Turnock of South Bend. Also mourning the loss are her great-nephews and nieces, Matthew, Mitchell, Madison, Alex, Mavis, Sean, Christina, Michael, Kelen and Colin. As daughter, wife, mother, GiGi, sister, sister-in-law, Aunt Karen, and dear friend, each and every life was blessed in some way by her love. She took care of everyone and everything with an unstoppable force for life, family, and friends. We are all so incredibly blessed and grateful to have known and felt that special kind of love. Our lives will never be the same but let all of her memories be a blessing and rejoice that she is now reunited with her friends, family and Savior.

A celebration of all things Karen will take place at Prhyme restaurant in downtown Tulsa (111 N. Main Street) on Sunday, August 29th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of her favorite dog rescue foundations - Animal Rescue Foundation <https://www.arftulsa.org> and the Tulsa SPCA <https://tulsaspca.org>.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Karen S. Arutunoff please visit our Sympathy Store.

4/27/2023  djb

https://www.moorefuneral.com/obituaries/karen-arutunoff/#!/Obituary