Memorial Info for Karen Carra : Sunday Dec 06 : *Updated*

[markc]

Information about an upcoming memorial/remembrance/party to celebrate Karen's life will be available soon. One good place to check is:

http://www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com/obit ... MD/1562717

There's a guestbook, and everyone is welcome to comment there. Matthew simply can't stand the thought of Karen being yet another pilot whose loss becomes a sad topic within the club forums. A little too real, I suspect.

For now, all we know is that it will be the first or second weekend of December. Her ashes will be scattered at Great Falls Park, where they were married. Followed by a remembrance, likely at a nearby Unitarian Universalist Church.

I'm pretty sure that Karen would hate the idea of somber attire. I'll double-check, but I'm guessing that suits and such won't be the way to go. Unless they are bright and happy. With many purple and pink accents.

[markc]

Forgot to mention... If you have any photos featuring Karen that you would like included in her remembrance, please send them to me at : markc@chgpa.org

Many thanks!

[markc]

If you are having a problem using the guestbook to submit a comment....

Those with a Facebook/Twitter/Etc account can post something once you are logged into your social-media provider of choice. But failing that, you should probably join 'Disqus' :

Go to the Pumphrey site
Click on the 'Guestbook' link
Look for the 'Login' dropdown menu.
Select 'Disqus'
Click on 'Need an account?' .

This will take you to a dialogue where you can enter a username and provide an email address. You will then likely have to *reply* to a confirmation email that they send to you, before you can post.

And if you are composing something... Definitely SAVE IT somewhere before attempting to post. Nothing more irritating than seeing your words disappear, and having to start all over again.

If you have problems, please send me an email : markc@chgpa.org

[markc]

For those who would like to send a sympathy note:

Matthew Graham
6506 Westmoreland Avenue
Takoma Park, MD
20912

[markc]

The celebration and memorial of Karen's life will be held Sunday December 6th 2015, 4:00pm-7:00pm, at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda Maryland. Everyone is welcome. There won't be any formal services, this is going to be a positive get-together to celebrate a wonderful person's life. Leave the dark suits and such at home.

Address:

6301 River Road
Bethesda, MD 20817

Maps and Directions:

https://www.rruuc.org/contact/maps-directions.html

Due to Park Service restrictions, the number of attendees when Karen's ashes are scattered in Great Falls Park (Maryland side) will have to be limited to family and close friends of Matthew and Karen. This will occur on the same day, Sunday December 6th, probably at 1:00 or 2:00pm (sorry, will try to get information about the exact time ASAP). Matthew will be reaching out to people with more details soon.

MarkC

[markc]

Ok, it turns out that I *suck* at channelling.

Per Matthew, Karen would want her remembrance to be an occasion.

So, 'dress smart', and let's honor her wish.

If that means a somber-suit kinda look, because that's what you've got (like me)...

Well so be it, bring it on!!

(But that said, I'm hoping to find a cool shirt & tie for the event, to lighten things a bit)

MarkC

[markc]

In lieu of flowers, donations in Karen's memory can be made to the Washington Animal Rescue League:

http://www.warl.org

71 Oglethorpe Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011

A donation button is available on their homepage, but I'm not sure if there is a way to indicate that a gift is in memory of someone. So I might snail-mail mine instead.

For those that Matthew has contacted, the plan is to meet at 2pm on Sunday Dec 6, in the parking lot near the visitors center at Great Falls Park (Maryland side) :

11710 MacArthur Blvd
Potomac, MD 20854

http://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/g ... center.htm

Karen's ashes will be scattered where they were married, nearly 30 years ago.

This will be followed by a remembrance and celebration of Karen at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation at 4pm, at which everyone is welcome:

6301 River Road
Bethesda, MD 20817

https://www.rruuc.org/contact/maps-directions.html

Suit/jacket/etc attire. Light snacks, soft drinks, wine, and beer will be provided. But you can bring something along if you wish...

Brian, Kelvin, Joe, Daniel, and I will be taking shifts as bartenders. We'll probably need a few other volunteers (text me : 301-807-5414 )

[markc]

John D and Carlos have both offered to help with a bartending/server shift. With one more volunteer, we'll be able to have two people serving for just 45 minutes each. So if you can help out, please send me a text, many thanks!

The basics (food, wine, beer, sodas, water, etc) are all being handled. But that said: If you have a favorite side dish, or a favorite dessert, or a favorite wine or beer... Maybe something you would like to share with friends in Karen's memory?

Well hey, by all means, bring it along!

[markc]

Well.... I can't think of much to say other than the fact that Karen certainly touched many people, from the many different spheres of her life. Huge turnout, overflowing the space. Photos and videos that Matthew and Mike B put together (dancing, scuba, horseback, polo, hiking, trapeze, 'silks', flying, friends). Piano and vocals from M&K's "rock and roll realtor" Tommy Murphy, and accompanying guitarist (didn't get his name, unfortunately).

And best of all, many stories and remembrances of Karen.

Sigh.