What a sad shock to hear that Karen is gone. Frank and I have known her for many years, beginning I think at a NOMAD festival. She expressed an interest in our band ShoreGrass and came to our workshops. Later, she invited me and Frank to accompany her at workshops at NOMAD and NEFFA, which we did with great joy, and she came to a couple of folk gatherings at our house. She laughingly allowed us to interject banjo or bass and guitar on some of her renditions of Child Ballads, and also insisted on pure a cappella on others.

Karen was a wonderful singer and introduced us to many beautiful old ballads. I remember trying to help her find resources for a project that she called her life's work: indexing every traditional American and I think British folk song book and title. This work in progress was extensive, and no doubt exists among her possessions.

Karen was a delight to know. I'm so saddened to hear of her passing but grateful that our paths crossed.