Karen Kuykendall

Karen Kuykendall, a beloved and longtime Austin actress and realtor, made her final curtain call on Wednesday, October 31, 2007. She died at home surrounded by the family she loved deeply. Diagnosed with lung cancer in September 2006, Karen remained upbeat and took on the disease with her ever-present courage, tenacity and legendary wit. Born Mary Karen Koock on November 19, 1937 as a fifth generation Austinite, she was third of eight children of Chester Louis Koock and Mary Faulk. The Koock children were raised at Green Pastures, the historic family home their parents converted into a restaurant that still operates today. Karen attended St. Ignatius Martyr Church School, St. Mary’s Academy, and Dunbarton College in Washington, D.C. From the time she could talk and walk, Karen was On Stage. Her official debut was in the Koock family Christmas Pageant, an annual tradition now in its 67th year. As a young actress with the Children’s Theater, she toured Austin grade schools and by the late 1950s, was acting in countless roles with the Austin Civic Theater. Later, Zachary Scott Theatre Center became her theater home where she performed roles in drama, comedy, musicals, one-woman shows and cabaret acts. She could play women of all sorts and even men, as she did in Angels in America as the oldest living Bolshevik. Known and adored by fans as Diva Karen, she was a consummate entertainer on and off the stage. She sang in that wonderful husky bass voice, told a story with caustic wit, and delivered one-liners with perfect timing. She had total individuality. Audiences loved her because her esprit and love of acting were contagious. During the 1980s, she formed a special artistic bond with Sterling Price-McKinney, a talented composer and collaborator who became a devoted friend. They delighted audiences with their lively and poignant cabaret performances. She was the sultry voice for Ballet Austin and for many other television and radio commercial spots. She shared her multiple talents of voice work, acting, board service and resources, and especially enjoyed nurturing generations of younger actors. A founding member of Conspirare, Karen was a generous supporter of all of the arts and many other community organizations in her native Austin. This summer, Zachary Scott Theatre announced that the stage in the Center’s planned 500-seat theater is to be named “The Karen Kuykendall Stage.” When Dave Steakley, ZACH’s Artistic Director, came to her house to deliver the news, Karen was, uncharacteristically, speechless. She considered this honor to be one of her greatest. She received the 2007 B. Iden Payne “Award for Outstanding Contribution to Austin Theatre” presented by the Austin Circle of Theaters. Two of her many other awards include “Best Actress” by the Circle of Theaters and The Austin Chronicle’s “Austin’s Favorite Diva.” In 2004, she was inducted into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame. While acting was her passion, real estate was her important day job. She excelled as one of Austin’s top real estate agents with Wilson & Goldrick Realtors. She spent 30 years in the business and was an original member of the Elite 25. Buying a house from Karen was just the beginning of a lasting relationship with great benefits. Gourmet dinners at her house and introductions to her vast array of interesting friends came with the purchase, particularly if a client was new to Austin. She had a penchant for artists and intellectuals, often pairing them with clients. Her own house was a salon filled with a variety of people, art, music, conversation, laughter, good drink and food. She had a gift for friendship and was, as one friend noted, “A woman with the heart and soul of a lioness.” Always the life of the party and in demand as a guest, Karen rarely declined a social invitation even if it meant multiple occasions in one evening. After she became ill, the party often moved to Karen’s house or else a thoughtful host would send a car to pick-up Karen. Her rich life was filled with many friends and adventuresome travels with them, including the late Governor Ann Richards with whom Karen traveled to Africa, the Grand Canyon, and India. Karen was best defined as a talented artist and hard-working realtor who created a full and inspiring life and as a woman who cherished her family. Her absence will be sorely felt by her three children and their spouses: Marshall Kuykendall Jr. and wife Margaret; Mary Alice Naiser and husband Jerry; Sarita Kuykendall; her four grandchildren: Wylie and Jennie Kuykendall, Haley and Catherine Naiser; her six siblings: Kenneth Koock, Gretchen O’Boyle, William (Guich) Koock, Timothy Koock, Judy Strassman, Martha Koock Ward; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. The family thanks Karen’s many friends and extended family members who cared for her during this past year and profoundly appreciates everyone’s acts of kindness. Special thanks to Sterling Price-McKinney for his love and care of Karen, who spent countless evenings playing the piano and keeping watch by her bed until she fell asleep. And, to Debby Torres for her exceptional care during Karen’s final three months of life. To paraphrase J. M. Barrie in Peter Pan: “How do you get to Neverland?” asked Karen. “Second Star on the right and straight on till morning.” So when you wander outside to view the beautiful Texas skies, look to the second star on the right. It will fill you with love for our dear mother, colleague, friend, and magical actress. Visitation will be held Monday, November 5, 2007, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Paramount Theater, 713 Congress Avenue, 512/472.5411. A Funeral Mass is scheduled at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 6, 2007, at St. Ignatius Martyr Church, 126 W. Oltorf Street, Father Kirby Garner officiating. A private burial will follow. Arrangements under the direction of Weed, Corley-Fish Funeral Home Ltd, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd, 512/452.8811. A public memorial service honoring Karen’s life will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to do so may send a contribution to “The Karen Kuykendall Stage” c/o Zachary Scott Theatre Center, 1510 Toomey Road, Austin, Texas 78704.