As I give Thanks this day I remember my surrogate mothers Karen and DB. They took me into their home when I was a homeless college student. That day when I arrived 2 days before Christmas was the turning point of my life. 

Today I look back on their example, candor and patience as what Karen would say “ a work in progress”. Little did they know that I would be the seed they cultivated into something they would be proud of. They came to celebrate my first born and Karen walked the church presenting my son on her stole for all to see…This is their grandson who they would also be proud of today. 

And so.. I miss them both and wish to see them both some day and thank them for their love…

I knew Karen since 1996 when I started working for her.  Karen once said that Peggy was her right hand man and I was her left.  After I no longer working for her, and living out of state, she insisted I stay with her when I was in town.  The last time I saw her was in Maine.  It was a wonderful visit, seeing her flower beds and her new statue.  She loved her views of the bay.  This photo I took from her property overlooking Union River Bay.  

It is with grief that I discovered today, May 15th,  that my dear friend Karen is gone. She wasn't responding to my phone calls and plans to try to get together this coming summer in Maine.  Karen was a dear family friend of my grandparents, L.C. Dunn and Louise Dunn, and Dr. Dorsey Bennett in NYC before moving to Texas.  My condolences to her family, she was a wonderful warm hearted person and I will miss her.

Karen was a fantastic scientist & mentor. She always personally invested herself in the student’s academic path. She made sure we thought about scientific  problems out of the box.  For some of us who moved out of academia, we still carry on her legacy of analytical & scientific reasoning, excellent documentation & doing things in style like she always did. My heartfelt condolences to her family, her friends & support system in Austin such as Peggy Centilli.  ♥️ 

It is with great sadness that I learned about the passing of a truly great developmental geneticist, a lifelong mentor and friend, and as my kids would say "Aunt Karen". . I met Karen 39 years ago when I interviewed at Cornell Med as an incoming student. That interview more than anything else, sold me on attending Cornell. She will be missed by legions of grad students and postdocs, her science progeny, both for her mentorship, and for her love of science. Condolences to Karen's family and may her memory be a comfort and blessing to all who knew her.

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Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery & Funeral Chapel

Karen Artzt

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Karen Jane Artzt

September 4, 1942 – March 4, 2020

Star of David Memorial Gardens Cemetery & Funeral Chapel

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