I am so saddened as I write this, and warmed from the bottom of my heart from the kind words of so many people. Karen had become reclusive in the last few years, I believe because of the diabetes she had developed. She became very weak and could barely take care of herself, refusing to burden anyone with her plight. Including me. I live near Ithaca, NY and had to rely on her communications to get any personal information about her. We spoke regularly on the phone. She had a deep love for my three children and my wife, Brenda, of 32 years. She was elated two and a half years ago when she became a Great Aunt (our gransons name is Wyatt Eli Krog!).
Karen worked for 15 years, right up to a few days of her passing, at the United Way of Connecticut in Rocky Hill. She spent her hours there taking calls from people often in desperate difficulty and worked tirelessly to find for them the help they needed. Karens co-workers there spoke of her with great love and respect and were kind to my wife and I beyond measure. I will forever find comfort in their words.
A few more things. Karen and I helped to start (1965) and operate a church coffeehouse called "The IN" in New Britain, Ct. It was in the basement of the old South Church and was the brainchild of a wonderful Youth Minister named Bill Comeau. Located between Boston and NYC we were able for years to host, usually mid-week, a wide variety of accoustic folk performers of all stripes. Names you would all recognize. All of us were in heaven. Personal conversations with and sometimes even music lessons from some of the nicest, most generous people in the world. Although Karen and I moved off in different musical directions, the wonderful music experienced there placed both of us on a lifelong path. Music became a spiritual nourishment for her. A means of taking in and giving out. An act of breathing. A sustainence of life.
Karens remains were cremated and her ashes will be buried in a beautiful old active cemetary that borders the south end of our property in Mecklenburg, NY. I will record on her stone the love she had for folk music - and the love I had for her.
Thank you all for your kindness. If anyone wishes to contact me directly, my email address is jomotheking@yahoo.com      Tom K