Karen L. Iyengar, 78, of Centreville, VA, passed away on Thursday August 8, 2024 after a long struggle with cancer with family at her side. Born November 4, 1945 in Bradford, PA, she was the daughter of George and Leona Cuthbertson. She graduated Bradford High School in 1963 and continued to Penn State University, where in 1967 she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts, majoring in Speech. As a young adult in Bradford, she taught at Lincoln Elementary School and performed on stage with the Seneca Highland Players. There she met Jagannathan (Jags) Iyengar, whom she married in 1974, and dedicated her life to making a home for their family through many moves, with notable residences in Baton Rouge, Aruba, New Jersey, Texas, and lastly Northern Virginia.
Karen had a lifelong love of music and the performing arts that she passed on to her children. She played the piano, performed in her church bell choir, and supported her sons’ musical aspirations and training through many lessons and performances. While living in Northern Virginia she was frequently in attendance at the Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap to hear choral ensembles, the trumpeter Chris Botti, and many other performers. From the cold Bradford winters of her youth, she learned and loved ice dancing and remained an avid fan of the art form.
In addition to her husband Jagannathan (Jags) of nearly 50 years, she is survived by sons Jay and Andrew Iyengar, daughter-in-law Jelena Stajic, granddaughter Maya Iyengar, sisters Barbara Cunningham and Mary Brandow, brother-in-law N.Srinivasan, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sister Nancy Maholic, brothers-in-law James Maholic, Sr., George Cunningham, and Richard Brandow, and sister-in-law Shymala Srinivasan.
A visitation and Memorial service will be held at Fairfax Presbyterian Church in Fairfax, VA starting at 11 am on August 31. Memorial contributions if desired may be made to The American Cancer Society.
Information on Memorial Service is available on www.demainefairfaxfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Karen's memory may be made to American Cancer Association, 655 15th St NW Suite 503, Washington DC, Washington, D.C. 20005 US, https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=default&lang=en&_gl=1*ks5pdu*_gcl_au*ODA0NjA5NDguMTcyMzU2OTI1Ng..*_ga*MTI3OTc2MjM5My4xNzIzNTY5MjU2*_ga_12CJLLFFQT*MTcyMzU2OTI1Ni4xLjAuMTcyMzU2OTI1Ni42MC4wLjA.&_ga=2.250495439.858498466.1723569257-1279762393.1723569256 or to a charity of your choice.
