Valerie Quintana

June 25, 2021

After having a near fatal car accident in 1994, Mark and Kara let me housesit for them in Columbus, NM. ,while they went on a winter vacation. It was a great place for me to continue my recovery process. I dare say, it changed the trajectory of my life because years later, I moved to Silver City, and have been here for 15years!

Jesús Carrasco

June 24, 2021

Conocí a Kara hace aproximadamente 3 años y medio. Me la presentó mi querida amiga Edith, ya que necesitaba a una interprete que me ayudara a interpretar en inglés mientras yo hablaba en español en una de mis presentaciones para la comunidad estadounidense en Oaxaca.
Cuando le platiqué a Kara el plan, a ella sin más le encantó la idea y decidió contribuir en el proyecto. A partir de ese proyecto estuvimos en contacto de diferentes formas; por teléfono, correo y reuniones.
Ella siempre divertida, con ganas de aprender, preguntando sobre las cosas que le interesaban, ayudando a los demás, investigando y también muy sensible ante los problemas sociales.

Se me hace difícil asimilar que ya no estás. Gracias por darme la oportunidad de conocerte. Te extrañaré Kara.

Sheila and Carl Litsinger

June 22, 2021

Our friendship with Kara and Mark began with a chance encounter at the City of Rocks campground in New Mexico in 1989. They invited us to stop by for a cup of coffee, and we have been dear friends ever since. We miss Kara deeply, and our hearts go out to Mark, knowing how he is grieving.

We remember the good times. No matter where we each went, somehow they would be at our door, or we at theirs. Kara encouraged us to volunteer at the Gila Cliff Dwellings, and we spent several memorable tours as Volunteer Rangers. Her depth in the archaeology of the southwest, notably the Gila and Mesa Verde was remarkable, and long conversations and several projects were common with her. She and Mark treated us to a fantastic tour of Mesa Verde on a visit to them while they were working there. We always expected that Kara would one day return to the southwest and start "digging" again. She had so much to offer, and it seemed that her work, notably at the Gila, was unfinished. We remember walking with Kara one day, not far from our living quarters at the Gila. As she was want to do, Kara found a beautiful stone point but returned it to the ground as is appropriate.

More recently in visits to Deming we were impressed with the work she did to help so many people on the border. She was devoted to Border Partners, most notably when she and Mark lived in Columbus. It wasn't just her fluency in Spanish that served her so well. She had such empathy for the myriad people she helped.

We also discussed and ranted about politics. She and Mark visited us in Albuquerque, and she brought a pinata she made of the departing George W. Bush. We all watched, with delight, as Barack Obama was inaugurated that day. Others would have the pleasure of breaking open that pinata, but we have the delightful picture!

You will be with us forever, Kara, and we will be there for you, Mark, when it is time.

Sheila and Carl Litsinger

Maggie Roberts

June 22, 2021

I first met Kara when she was staying at Edith’s place. I got to know her a little more when she and Mark moved down to Oaxaca permanently.
From the first time that I met Kara she struck me as a vibrant, intelligent and very interesting lady. She showed a lot of zest for life and was always helping local people.
She will be greatly missed by all.
My greatest condolences to Mark and her family.
May she Rest In Peace.

joanne bretzer

June 22, 2021

I met Kara 2 years ago, in a small compound in Oaxaca, where we both had casitas. She and her husband, Mark, and I became instant friends, as we all spoke English (and were all new to the neighborhood)! What delight she could be! Last spring, at the beginning of the pandemic, we agree to start making face masks. She bought a sewing machine and got to work, making 10 masks to my one, as I stitched away by hand. She gave face masks to everyone. The week before she left for the US, where she passed away a little more than a week later, she sent me to the little shop where they sell elastics and ribbon, for elastic to make more masks! She had all of her fabric and patterns at the ready. Kara never quit.

Edith Acevedo

June 21, 2021

My heartfelt condolences to Kara´s family. My thoughts are with you guys !!
I met Kara and Mark 7 or 8 years ago because they were my guests. After that we never lost touch and became very good friends. Later they moved to live in Oaxaca and after they moved close to my house, we visited each other constantly. Kara and I had meetings every Wednesday to talk about the archeology of Mexico, its culture and the social problems in the state. Kara was a generous woman always wanting to help others and ready to learn new things all the time. She spoke fluent Spanish and she was a smart and very creative woman. We always had something to talk or laugh about. She became as part of my family. When she got cancer, it was very hard. We looked for all the options and exhausted all the possibilities. It was a frustrating process for all of us since many times Doctors didn´t have answers, but she remained very strong, positive and always with the hope to move on.
We lived side by side during the whole process of her illness. All this has been very sad but at the same time I am grateful because I had the opportunity to met her and knowing she did not suffer for a long time.
I miss her but also know she is in a better place now. She always will live in my mind and in my heart.
Rest in Peace my dear friend!
Edith...

Gay Ives

June 21, 2021

I worked with Kara at Mesa Verde National Park, in the Cultural Resources Division. Mark was working for Interpretation back then. We shared some great times, that I will never forget. I will always have good memories of Kara when I enter a cliff dwelling we worked on in the park. Her spirit will live on in our hearts. I am sending my love, hugs and prayers to the family.

Bill Johnson

June 20, 2021

We will never forget our long time friend's smile and sense of humor RIP Bill and Elfida

Traci Jennings

June 20, 2021

I met Kara as a volunteer at Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument about 10 years. We immediately became friends and she absolutely adored my dogs, Sherman in particular. Our senses of humor meshed well and we always had great discussions about life, the universe and everything. I know that if there is an afterlife she is once again teaching because that was her mission in life. I’ll miss my dear friend. Rest in power, Kara.

Mary Naber

June 19, 2021

My sister was my best friend and gave her all to be there when i needed to cry, celebrate, and/or laugh. My most fond memories will be of our daily emails for the last year when she was struggling with her health. We kept each other positive and hoping for the best. She was so strong and i am so proud of her for all her talents. She gave 100% to everything she did including working tirelessly at the digs, and teaching (she loved her students). She also loved translating at EnVia for the women of the surrounding area of Oaxaca. She loved the Mexican people, culture and art. Her spirit and love will always be in my heart.

FROM THE FAMILY