Karen Kane Turk

TURK, KAREN KANE, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home in Charlotte, Thursday morning April 21st, 2011, following a long, valiant struggle with Multiple Sclerosis. Karen was born September 17, 1943, in Miami, FL, to the late Jack Dare and Barbara Beckstrom Kane. She graduated from Winter Park High School in Winter Park, Florida in 1961. She attended Stetson University in Deland, Florida and graduated in 1965 with a degree in American Studies.

Always devoted to her family and friends, she relished the opportunity to serve as Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, or by volunteering in her children's schools. She never passed up the opportunity to read a good book or participate in an engaging conversation. Although Karen faced many health problems, she approached each day with a relentlessly positive attitude that consistently impressed everyone who knew her. Her joyfulness and zeal for life left a lasting impression on everyone she knew. Her gentle spirit and joyful presence will be greatly missed.

Karen is survived by her loving husband, Bill; their children, William Turk of Charlotte, NC, and Elizabeth Purdie and husband, Matthew, of Charlotte, NC; their grandchildren, William and Kathryn Turk of Hickory, NC, and Caroline, Sarah, and Hannah Purdie of Charlotte, NC; sister, Kris Crosby and husband, Wayne, of Winter Park, FL; aunt, Millie Hendrick of Vero Beach, FL; cousins, Bunny Frey and husband, Bill, of Vero Beach, FL, and David Hendrick of Micco, FL; mother-in-law, Joan Turk of Charlotte, NC. Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 10:00 am at Matthews Presbyterian Church, 207 West John St., Matthews, NC, 28105. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Harry and Bryant Company is serving the family. Published in Charlotte Observer from April 23 to April 24, 2011