Karen Darlene Lambert Carson

Karen will be cremated with no service. In her memory and in lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, please make donations to your local Food Bank or your favorite charity.

Karen is predeceased by her parents, Harold and Maxine Lambert. She is survived by her husband, Louis J Carson, and her brother Leland and wife Linda Lambert, of Middlebourne, WVa.

Karen loved to cook, explore new cuisines, recipes and wines as well as travel to see it up close. Whether steamed crabs, lamb couscous, vongole, salmon coulibiac or beef bourguignonne, Karen reveled in setting a welcoming table. Karen enjoyed country and creole/zydeco music. Karen loved her DE home- gardening, exploring the byways by kayak, on her bike, walking to the seashore. DE was where her spirit truly shined.

Karen was born in Waukesha, WI on January 15, 1946. Her family moved to Lancaster, CA where she attended Antelope Valley Highschool, California Western University, and received a Master of Food Science from California State University, Northridge.

Karen moved to Washington, DC in 1974, and joined the Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. In her 32 years, she developed dairy standards, was instrumental in the creation of the Institute for Food Safety and Health at Illinois Institute of Technology- first FDA public: private partnership to collaborate on applied food science research; as Deputy Director for Dairy Foods, Produce and Beverages and as Director, Executive Secretariat. Karen continued her service in retirement in many roles including Membership Chair for the FDA Alumni Association.