Karen Richards was born August 14th 1956 and died on Sunday August 8th under the care of Hospice at the age of 64.

She was the beloved daughter of Bonnie Michael of Cary, with whom she lived . She is survived by her dear sister Kimberly Basden, husband Matthew Ottey; her dear brother Ronald Pratt, wife Josephine Pratt; and her three nieces, Alana Basden, Mauren Pratt, and Seanna Pratt.

Karen was first and foremost an artist. She was an artist on the piano, being an accomplished pianist in her younger years. She began playing by ear at the age of 4 on a toy piano. She loved jazz and creating her own music. It was a joy to listen and watch her play. She played piano the way she did a lot of things, with her whole heart.

She was a bead and needlework artist. She would pay such attention to the smallest detail. She took the most complicated quilt pattern and miniaturized it. She beaded with the tiniest beads and made the most spectacular jewelry.

Her favorite decorations were plants. She  found great joy in tending to them  that was evidenced by the jungle in her bedroom and throughout the house. They flourished under her loving care.

Animals gravitated to Karen. She loved them all but especially her kitty Angeleah, who  was a beautiful white persian kitty who would play fetch with her.

Karen was deeply loved by her nieces. She was the one they could talk to, who always listened and offered advice. When they would come visit, they always made a bee line to her. She would do art, play music, make hot chocolate, or just talk about everyday things. She loved them unconditionally and they knew it.

She could talk to anyone about anything and listened without judgement. Karen loved with her whole heart unconditionally . People knew this and would gravitate to her to talk about their problems. She made friends easily.

Karen’s favorite place was the mountains, especially Pilot Mountain where she requested her ashes be scattered.

Not a day will go by that we will not think of her and miss her creative, loving spirit.  

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