Karin Richards Perling

Karin Richards Perling, multi-talented artist, master craftsperson, dancer, activist, designer, and percussionist, beloved wife, mother, sister, and aunt, died peacefully in her sleep on the morning of June 3, 2016, after a seven-month struggle with ovarian cancer.

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, she met her future husband there at age 17, where the two lived together for 10 years and established Sundance, a shop where they and their friends crafted and sold handmade leather goods. At the age of 22, Karin was accepted as a peer in the Danish Arts and Crafts Guild. For the rest of their life together, the couple shared international adventures spanning the globe. They gave birth to their only child before immigrating to Pacific Grove, CA in 1976.

Karin continued her education in art and dance at Monterey Peninsula College, and in the early 1980's co-founded a neighborhood group which successfully halted construction of a sewage treatment plant in the forest near her home, appearing as their spokesperson on local TV news. She remained active in local politics for the rest of her life. In the 1990's, Karin earned an AA degree in Interior Design from MPC, and used the knowledge and skill she gained to improve the lighting and layout of her own home and those of friends and family. In the early 2000’s she enrolled in a weekly Brazilian Samba percussion and dance class, and soon helped to form the Sambahemians, a local performance troupe.

Karin is survived by her husband, Richard Mayeri of Pacific Grove, son Daniel Mayeri of Berkeley, sister Elise Stendevad of Denmark, in addition to cousins, nieces and nephews, and family friends. We will greatly miss this beautiful and vibrant lady.

A memorial and send-off party for Karin was held on Saturday, June 25th in Carmel. Donations in Karin’s name can be made to the Discovery to Cure program at Yale University. For more information, please call Daniel at (510) 381-8040.

Arrangements under the direction of The Paul Mortuary, Pacific Grove, CA.