Madeleine Elizabeth Karl

Madeleine Elizabeth Karl, age 15, of Raleigh, NC, passed away on July 28, 2021, in Seattle, Washington, after a sudden brain hemorrhage while on a three-week hiking and camping trip with other teens from around the country.

Madeleine Elizabeth Karl was born in Raleigh, NC, on January 26, 2006, to Robert and Erin Karl, and was entering the 10th grade at Trinity Academy of Raleigh.

Maddie was a daily blessing to her father, Robert Joseph Karl, Jr., and mother, Erin Margaret Karl. Her brother, Robert "Tripp" Joseph Karl III, and she were extremely close, and their tight bond was truly amazing.

Maddie lived more than a few “grown-ups” worth of lifetimes during her 15 short years. She was immensely talented, smart, loving, sassy, funny, wonderful, and unapologetically herself … a rarity in one so young. An accomplished songwriter, actress, singer, instrumentalist, and human being, Maddie was an “old soul” who wrote of things beyond her years, but still had the ability to love, laugh, and live a life of innocence and naiveté.

Maddie is survived by her mother, father, brother, paternal grandparents Robert and Wilda Karl, and maternal grandparents Stephen and Juanita Finley. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, R. Robin Finley, alongside whom she will be buried.

While she is now the newest member of God’s choir, she left not only a lasting impression on everyone she met, but a lasting gift of life to others through organ donation.

A Funeral Mass was held Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 10 am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, with a committal service to follow at Raleigh Memorial Park. To honor Maddie and her vivacious spirit, please consider wearing a bit (or a LOT) of magenta. A video of the funeral mass live streamed by the church can be found at: boxcast.tv/view/funeral-liturgy-for-maddie-karl-xkbpiwwlee1bg8vdk5j2 (copy & paste the link into your search bar) or select the hyperlink under DONATIONS.

A Reception was held at Trinity Academy of Raleigh in the Founders Hall. The reception will begin following the funeral mass for those not attending the burial. Family will arrive immediately following the committal service. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to a memorial fund established to benefit the theater and music department at Trinity Academy of Raleigh. Donations may be made via Venmo: @MEKMemorial, Zelle: [email protected], Wells-Fargo (any branch): Check Payable to the Madeleine E Karl Memorial Fund.

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