A Tribute to My Dear Friend Karen
Karen came into my life in the 1970s, when she came to England as a Coast Guard’s wife. She knocked on my door and from the moment we met we became good friends and somehow it felt as though we had known each other for years.
Those early years were filled with so many happy memories. We spent countless hours together, laughing, cooking, playing tennis and simply enjoying life. We shared the joys and challenges of being young mothers and watched our children grow up together. When my third son was born, Karen became his Godmother, which made our friendship even more special.
Eventually, Karen returned to America, but distance didn’t change our friendship. For almost fifty years, we stayed close. We travelled across the Atlantic to see one another, shared visits and holidays and were there for some of the most important occasions in each other’s lives. We celebrated our children’s weddings and continued to make precious memories together, whether she was visiting England,or I was visiting America.
Sadly we were unable to communicate during her illness which made the last time we saw Karen an emotional visit so I was particularly grateful to Jennifer for keeping me updated on Karen’s progress. My daughter in law Bridgett met me in Charlotte and we travelled together to spend that precious time with Karen and her family; her sister Chris, her niece Jennifer and her husband John. It is a memory I will treasure always. Karen was a truly caring, kind and generous person. She had a warmth about her that made people feel loved and valued, and I feel incredibly lucky to have called her my friend for nearly fifty years. It is hard to believe that I will no longer be able to pick up the phone and talk to her. I will miss our conversations enormously.
I will remember the young woman I met all those years ago, the wonderful years we shared and the very special friendship that survived oceans, distance and the passing of time.  
Margaret Saunders.

We are so sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. May she be welcomed into heaven with open arms, reunited with our Lord and those who went before her. 
Karen was my first cousin—my father’s sister’s daughter. As children, we spent many weekends together at the Anglickis, Trytek, and Katilius homes. The three oldest girl cousins—Alyce, Karen, and me, Cyl—always looked forward to being together. Alyce and Karen were the lucky ones who took piano, ballet, and tap-dancing lessons and enjoyed the finer things in life. I always admired their performances, which we attended in Cicero and Berwyn, Illinois. 
Over the years, although many miles separated us, Karen and I stayed close through hour-long phone calls in which we shared our lives. We also cherish many memories of Karen’s hospitality; her door was always open during our family road trips from California. When she lived in North Carolina, her home was conveniently halfway between Pennsylvania, where we visited George’s family, and Florida, where we visited my sister’s and brother’s families. We always made a point of spending a few days with Karen. 

After driving to Angela and Augustus’s wedding in upstate New York one year, my sister Carol Tucker—Angela’s mother—George, and I planned to drive Carol home to Florida. Naturally, we stopped in to visit Karen on the way south. When an unexpected hurricane moved north from Florida, Karen welcomed all of us into her home for nearly a week. George and I headed west to California before the storm reached North Carolina, while Carol stayed with Karen for several more days before finally flying home to Florida. Karen was truly our lifesaver. 

We will miss her terribly and hope to be together again in the next life with our good and gracious God. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all who mourn Karen.

Blessings, Cecelia (Cyl), and George Rudar

Dear Kristine, Mark, Aidan, Sophie, and Chrissy, 
My deepest condolences to Karen’s family on the death of your wonderful mother, grandmother, sister and aunt.  When we lived on Governor’s Island back in 1968-69 in Coast Guard Housing, Karen and John were our upstairs neighbors in Building 12K.  It was a lonely time for me with a two and a four year old and my husband away on Coast Guard duty.  Karen & John came for dinner many nights after work and helped me keep my sanity.  I remember the pride Karen had for her new baby daughter, Kristine, a pink bundle of joy.  Also her delight when Mark was born and later when the little monkey swung from the dining room chandelier.  Several friends enjoyed many years together staying with her for The Southern Women’s Christmas Show.   Eating her marvelous dinners, drinking wine, appreciating her massage plans for us at her home, Show and Tell on all our purchases, and building our love for each other over the years…it was a total love fest.   You are a friend forever, Karen, and  I believe we will share eternity together again.
With sadness and love,
Kathy Trainor

OBITUARY

Karen Wallace

March 23, 1945 – September 21, 2026

McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel

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