Obituary of Karla Leona Tays-Dunphy

It is with great sadness that the family of Karla Leona Tays-Dunphy, formerly of Saint John, announces her unexpected passing on July 19, 2013 at her residence in Toronto. Born June 30, 1963 in Saint John, she was the daughter of Thelma (Kilpatrick) (Smith) Tays and the late Ernest Brubaker Tays. Karla’s first job was at the Children’s Library in Lansdowne Place. She was also the organist and choir director at the former Waterloo Street Baptist Church. She graduated from Millidgeville North High School in 1981, where she was valedictorian. She then attended the University of New Brunswick in Saint John where she studied concurrently for her Bachelor of Business Administration and her Bachelor of Science in Data Analysis, completing both degrees in four years, and was again chosen as the valedictorian of the graduating class of 1985. Upon graduation, Karla joined the CA firm of Doane Raymond (now Grant Thornton) in Saint John and received her Chartered Accountant designation in 1988. Karla transferred to the Halifax office as a Senior Manager and later became a Partner with the firm and transferred to the National Office in Toronto where she was in charge of all computer technology and training for the firm and one of only 8 females of some 200 partners. Besides her mother, Thelma Tays, Karla is survived by her sister-in-law, Gail (Smith) Dupuis (Normand); niece, Laura (Smith) Biggs (Christopher); nephew, Geoffrey Smith; aunts, Pauline Haslett (Bill) and Doreen Smith, and many cousins and special friends. Besides her father, Ernest Brubaker Tays, Karla was predeceased by her brother, Eldon Harold Smith. Resting at Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424) with visiting on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 from 6-8 PM and Thursday, July 25, 2013 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 2 PM from Brenan’s Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Extension Cemetery. Remembrances to any charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family. Please place online condolences and remembrances at www.brenansfh.com.