Karen Frances Nielsen's Obituary
Karen F. Nielsen (née Smith), 73, of Leesburg, VA, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2024, surrounded by her family. Born on July 5, 1951, in Brooklyn, NY, Karen spent most of her life on Long Island before retiring to Virginia to be near her grandchildren. She was deeply devoted to her family, but her greatest love was always for her husband, Rick. Their love story spanned 41 years of marriage and was the foundation of her life. Karen would often say she couldn’t wait to be with Rick again, and their reunion brings peace to those who knew how much she missed him. Karen is survived by her sons Bryan (Leesburg, VA), Michael (Philadelphia, PA), and Scott (Korn Krest, PA), and by her cherished grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Mema.” Preceded in death by Rick and her siblings Lenore, Eileen, Gretchen, Charlie, Francis, and Howard, Karen was known for her warmth, generosity, and her remarkable ability to make everyone feel loved. Whether tending her garden, sewing clothes for her family, or baking holiday cookies, Karen poured her heart into everything she did. She took joy in spending time with her family, always making sure they knew how much they were loved. Her life was defined by the love she shared with Rick, and her legacy will continue to live on through her family and friends. Karen requests donations in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in lieu of flowers.
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