Saturday, January 26, 2013
I have known Karen all my life as a kind, generous person and fellow rower. Over and over, she showed selfless benevolence to me and my family, and modeled for me what it meant to love your neighbor as yourself.
From my parent's bay window, I regularly saw Karen at the Aqueduct Rowing club. I usually saw her row in fours and eights, and she was known as a major contributor, sitting in "powerhouse" seats in the boat. In addition to rowing on the team, she was steadfast in supporting the program. Each spring she showed up to carry in the docks and again in the fall to pull them out and store them for the winter. She was always helping maintain the Boat House, support novice rowers, and lend a hand in any way she could.
As a kid, I loved it when my brother walked me over to the Kast's house to help care for Karen's son's chickens when their family was away. They had a coop right in their backyard, which was such a novelty for a suburban kid. Karen and Steve more than returned the favor, taking care of our rambunctious dog, Chip when our family was on vacation.
When my dad had a stroke my senior year of high school, Karen showed her love and support for our family, helping my parents with their store, sending over meals and treats, and regularly calling my mom or stopping by our house to lend a listening ear.
When I was in college, taking an education course that required me to teach 5th graders about tessellations, Karen taught me about the artist M.C. Escher and loaned me books and special triangle grid paper to use with my students. The tessellations were a hit, and again I was thankful for Karen's willingness to teach and share.
I am grateful to have grown up with such a wonderful neighbor. Her contributions to my family, to Aqueduct and Niskayuna Rowing, and to the Niskayuna community will forever stand out in my memory.
