Deciding to come to the reunion was bittersweet. Two of my pals, Alice Fernandez and Karen Kilpatrick are already gone Alice married in college and died in 1970. It was devastating to lose such a close friend at that young age. The three of us shared wonderful, fun-loving experiences growing up together. Oh, how we loved driving in her yellow triumph!
I met Karen in the 8th grade and we were best friends until her death in 2012. She fought a year long valiant battle with cancer. I couldn't have asked for a better bff. Karen always placed others needs above her own. She was devoted to her family and lived with her mother in Armonk. She had a big heart and loved animals, taking in stray cats, feeding raccoons and deer and having parrots and dogs as pets. She loved horses and dreamed about having her own stable where she could offer animal assisted therapy.
If you needed help with anything, Karen was there for you. It didn't matter if it was building a stone wall, planting a garden or hanging Christmas lights. Her infectious smile and great sense of humor brightened any setting. She instinctively knew what you needed help with and took it on without any fanfare. When my mother was in a nursing home suffering from dementia, Karen brought her a doll as a gift. That doll became my mother's best friend and the only thing she related to giving her comfort for the rest of her days.
Karen was my angel on earth and I miss her deeply.
Jane Ayers
Deciding to come to the reunion was bittersweet. Two of my pals, Alice Fernandez and Karen Kilpatrick are already gone Alice married in college and died in 1970. It was devastating to lose such a close friend at that young age. The three of us shared wonderful, fun-loving experiences growing up together. Oh, how we loved driving in her yellow triumph!
I met Karen in the 8th grade and we were best friends until her death in 2012. She fought a year long valiant battle with cancer. I couldn't have asked for a better bff. Karen always placed others needs above her own. She was devoted to her family and lived with her mother in Armonk. She had a big heart and loved animals, taking in stray cats, feeding raccoons and deer and having parrots and dogs as pets. She loved horses and dreamed about having her own stable where she could offer animal assisted therapy.
If you needed help with anything, Karen was there for you. It didn't matter if it was building a stone wall, planting a garden or hanging Christmas lights. Her infectious smile and great sense of humor brightened any setting. She instinctively knew what you needed help with and took it on without any fanfare. When my mother was in a nursing home suffering from dementia, Karen brought her a doll as a gift. That doll became my mother's best friend and the only thing she related to giving her comfort for the rest of her days.
Karen was my angel on earth and I miss her deeply.
Jane Ayers
Anita Alzamora (Watson)
AnitaThanks Jane for these very moving comments about Alice and Karen - a lovely tribute- so glad to see you at the reunion