Happy Birthday Karen. Think about you.  Your legacy continues......

Always,

Theresa Stoudamire and family

My wedding day, May 20, 2011

Siblings: Karen, Jean and Thomas. Circa 1967

I have two angels in heaven looking out for me now. Aunt Karen, her mamma, and her sister Jean (my mamma.) 

As most of us know, Karen loved being near the water and in the water.  This was the day that she and Maryann and I soaked up the sun and water in Santa Barbara.

Good times in Santa Barbara!

We all loved Karen's mac n' cheese.  There were many times she prepared for both of her boys teams, friends, Thanksgiving and whenever there was a gathering.  I wanted my daughter, Juliann, to learn how to make it.  She spent one Saturday, shopping, prepping and baking the infamous mac n' cheese with Karen at her home. Several times Channing was moving about, home from college and noticed that Juliann was there, cleaning and prepping and cooking. He said, "Juliann, you must of done something really bad that you have had to be here all day cooking with my mom."  

Karen was always ready to share a recipe with any additions she made to make it just that much better!  She and Olinda actually were instrumental in our famiy taking more of an interest in cooking and following recipes to enhance our family's dinner time. 

Karen was my cousin in law and because of distance we did not stay in contact that much.  Two particular times we did make happy memories.   Karen was in Philadelphia finding out information about Rev. Leon Sullivan that lived on my street and we went out to dinner with my mom & sister. We had a great time taking pictures & laughing up a storm.  

Another time I was in Arizona.  Karen & I took a picture with Ice Cube.  That was fun because at the time Karen did not know who he was so we had a laugh about that.  Through Karen's art work she has left a positive mark in this society.  May she rest in peace with no more pain from this world. 

With Sympathy, 

April Sudler