Our hearts are broken, our sense of loss is profound, and our emotions are deeply complex.
Karen struggled with depression and bipolar disorder, a battle she faced largely in silence. Despite the love of her family and friends and the support of professional help, she chose to end her life. This tragedy highlights the intense pain and challenges she endured and serves as a powerful reminder of the critical need for compassionate support, effective mental health care, and genuine authenticity in our relationships.
We will deeply miss her laughter, adventurous spirit, boundless compassion, and her unwavering eagerness to help others. Her memory will remain a cherished part of our lives.
Karen asked that this be shared:

If I should ever leave you whom I love
To go along the Silent Way, grieve not,
Nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk
Of me as if I were beside you there…

And when you hear a song or see a bird
I loved, please do not let the thought of me
Be sad…For I am loving you just as
I always have…You were so good to me!

There are so many thing I wanted still
To do- so many things to say to you…
Remember that I did not fear- it was
Just leaving you that was so hard to face…

We cannot see beyond…But this I know:
I loved you so-”twas heaven here with you!
- Isla Paschal Richardson

With love and tears,
Karen’s family