Karen McNeil Ochoa passed away on March 1, 2012 at her home in Lompoc. Karen was born on July 8, 1948 to Marlin and June McNeil in Heber City, Utah. She graduated from Wasatch High School with the class of 1966. She has been a resident of Lompoc since 1966.

Karen worked at the Red Star Industrial Laundry (now known as Aramark). She owned a business, Karen's Lighting. After the shop closed she worked for Motel 6 as a night auditor. She also worked for Lompoc Unified School District.

Mom was kind, strong, very loving, and quick to help others – even strangers.

Karen is survived by her husband of 37 years, Joe Ochoa, her sons Rick Ochoa and Joe Ochoa, granddaughter Kayla Ochoa, all of Lompoc, and sister Allyson Larson of Heber City, Utah and Lisa Christopher of Las Vegas, Nevada. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Teresa "Terri" Ochoa and her sister, Marlene Carpenter.

A visitation will be held at the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary on Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 4 to 8pm, with a prayer service taking place at 6pm. Interment will be at the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery on Friday, March 9, 2012 at 2pm. Arrangements are in care of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary. www.starbucklind.com