Karen A. Farber

Karen Anne Kobolka Farber, 73, of Earlysville, VA passed away on April 12, 2023. Karen leaves behind her husband and partner Stephen Miller, our son Andrew, daughter-in-law Sarah, sisters Janet Sosovicka, Andi Donnelly and Beth Karpinksi. In addition, she leaves a number of cousins, nieces, nephews, grand nephews and grandniece.

Karen was born in New Kensington, PA. She graduated from Springdale High School, the University of Pittsburgh, Magna Cum Laude B.A. Sociology, St. Francis University, M.A. Labor Relations, University of Maryland, M.B.A., University of Virginia, Ph.D. Sociology. Her professional career included senior executive level university appointments at the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and California Polytechnic University Pomona. She was then appointed Assistant Vice Chancellor California State University System and then Associate Vice Chancellor University Maryland System. Karen retired from the University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service having served as Director of the University Internship Program. She held a joint appointment as Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Department of Psychology. Throughout her career at UVA, she taught thousands of students with exceptional dedication and commitment to academic rigor, clear expression and a lot of humor. Many of her students were profoundly grateful to her exceptional contribution to their education and future careers. Her kindness and care registered with her many students that they inundated her with requests for career counseling and recommendations. Throughout her career her colleagues were grateful for her academic acumen and dedication. Karen was recognized by many national academic associations for her contributions to the academy. In addition to her academic career, she was a renaissance woman. She was a true entrepreneur who owned a deli, ice cream parlor, women's gym, a race horse, a record company, and personally renovated houses/apartments to rent. Karen worked tirelessly from age 17 to retirement in 2017. She was a loving, kind, humorous, brilliant, gorgeous wife and partner. Her center piece in life is our son Andrew. She was proud of his many academic achievements and athletic awards. She brimmed with happiness when Andrew chose a medical career as an emergency department physician. Karen loved her family unconditionally and loved her posse of dogs and cats. We shall all meet at the Rainbow Bridge.

The family wishes to thank care partners Kris Sweeney, Angela Bird, the Monroe Health and Rehabilitation staff, and Dr. Johnathan Evans for the kindness, affection, care and love.

Donations in Karen's name can be made to the Dementia Action Alliance, daanow.org