Humboldt County has lost a champion and pioneer in the field of domestic violence.

Karen graduated from Fortuna High School in 1957, married Alvin Hughes and had two daughters. In spite of becoming a single mother, she achieved a master’s degree in psychology and went on to teach at both HSU and CR. She worked at various local agencies including the Child Care Council and Family Service Center.

After becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist she opened a private practice and in 1989 started a Batterer Intervention Program to teach men and women how to live without violence.It was her proudest accomplishment!

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Kathleen and Jeff Cross of Eureka and her daughter Kara Hughes of Eureka. She was preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Clara Batten, her sister and brother-in-law Ruth and Howard Wyckoff and her brother Jerry Batten.

Karen was fierce, fearless and generous to a fault. She would remind us all to think positive and find the gratitude.

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