Karen Louise Mackey

Karen passed away in the early morning hour of August 13, 2026, at her assisted living facility in Butte, Montana, where she lived for nearly five years. She was 81 years old.

Karen Louise (Burton) Mackey was born to Herbert and Louise Burton on November 17, 1944, in Roswell, New Mexico. Karen was raised in Roswell, spending countless happy hours at her beloved Father’s boot and saddlery shop. She talked fondly of babysitting her nieces and nephews, driving herself to school in the sixth grade, working at the local Tasty Freeze, and reminiscing of the infamous Roswell UFO crash. Karen graduated from Roswell High School, where she was proud member of the Cyettes, a vocal performance group representing the Roswell High School choral department. It was in Roswell where she met Robert “Stan” Mackey, while he was stationed in the Air Force, and the two married on September 3, 1963. From Roswell, they moved to Bozeman, Montana, while Bob attended MSU, and later relocated back to Bob’s hometown of Butte, while finally settling in Anaconda, Montana, making their home in Lost Creek. Karen worked as a police dispatcher in Anaconda, before attending Butte Academy of Beauty Culture and finishing out her career as a beautician in Anaconda, working at the Main Attraction and House of Hair. Karen will be remembered for her kindness and the selfless way she lived her life, setting the best example for all of us.

Karen enjoyed traveling, sewing, and spending time with her Ryley and Sebby at “Papa’s House” at Canyon Ferry. She was a talented artist and loved to draw, paint and watercolor. In her last years spent in Memory Care, she delighted in entertaining her caregivers, who found humor in her every day.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Robert Stanley Mackey; father, Herbert Martin Burton; mother, Fannie Louis Burton; brothers, John Thomas, Robert and Billy Burton; and sisters, Berta Blanton and Sue LaRue.

Karen is survived by her son, Todd Mackey of Washington; daughter, Deedra Mackey (Cory) of Anaconda; her grandsons, who affectionately called her “Nana Bear”, Ryley Heffernan, of Anaconda, and Spencer Heffernan, of Missoula; brother, Herbert Burton (Chris) of Cloudcroft, New Mexico; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Daryl and Kris “Tina” Mackey, of Darby; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 28th at 11:00 a.m. at Longfellow Funeral Home in Anaconda. A reception will be held at The Cellar Room at The Bighorn, Anaconda.

The family requests that memorial gifts be directed to a favorite charity of the donor's choice.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home is privileged to care for Karen and her family.