Karen Grass’s life adventure was suddenly and unexpectedly cut short on Sunday, March 8. She leaves behind her husband (Bill), their 3 children (Trip, Kate, & Kristi), 3 grandchildren, 4 granddogs, and a multitude of others she loved. Her adventurous spirit became evident at an early age when she snuck out of her house at age 3 to ride her trike more than a mile to her father’s job. That spirit never stopped and, since retiring, she managed to pedal over 10,000 miles with her husband down the Pacific Coast Highway from Canada to Mexico, on trails throughout the US, and through 14 European / Eastern European Countries. She made friends at every stop.

As much as Karen loved the life of post-retirement two-wheeled adventure, it took over 50 years in education before she got there. She taught almost every grade level before spending time at the state and county level, then back again to York County School District as the principal of Grafton Bethel Elementary School where she retired in 2014. In the six short years of retirement, Karen started fiddle lessons, rediscovered her love of knitting, and had recently started serving on the board of St. Vincent’s Center for Children with Disabilities in Haiti.

When she wasn’t cycling, giving Bill more house projects to work on, or visiting her children and grandchildren, Karen’s biggest passion was her involvement with the Virginia Master Naturalists. After becoming a member of the Historic Rivers Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists, she quickly volunteered for the education committee, and found ways to work in the local schools where she shared her passion for nature.  At the time of Karen’s death, she was working to graduate the current cohort of the Virginia Master Naturalists.

Even in death, Karen continued to give selflessly as an organ donor and her family would encourage everyone to consider this option.

Due to the current health crisis and inadvisability of gatherings, there will be no memorial service for Karen.  While living, Karen knew the love of those whose lives intersected with hers and her family holds that love and sympathy of everyone in their hearts.

If you would like to honor Karen, a donation may be made to the Karen Grass Scholarship / Projects Fund of Historic Rivers Chapter Virginia Master Naturalists. Checks may be mailed to the Historic Rivers Chapter Virginia Master Naturalists, PO Box 5026, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Checks should be made payable to “Historic Rivers Chapter Virginia Master Naturalists” notated for “Karen Grass Fund”.   The generous contributions of those who were touched by Karen in so many ways will allow her passion for people, nature, and knowledge to continue shining its light in the years to come.

Cremation Society of Virginia-Newport News assisted the family with their arrangements.