Obituary of Karen Ann Kittilstad

Karen Ann Kittilstad of Herndon, VA passed away April 21, 2014 while in residence at ManorCare Fair Oaks in Fairfax, VA following her effort to recover from stroke complications. Given her feisty personality, she might never have given up—which may be why the Good Lord took her peacefully the day after Easter. Karen was born in Cincinnati, OH on October 17, 1957 into a military (Air Force) family, which allowed her to share many homes and adventures with her family in the United States and overseas. She graduated from Oakton High School in Oakton, VA in 1975, and earned a B.A. in Communcations from James Madison University in 1979. She worked professionally as Editor of the American Symphony Orchestra League magazine and then in office administration at Barrueta & Associates and then Grubb & Ellis for over 20 years, finally as Regional Office Manager for their DC metro area offices until March 2010. Karen was an avid reader and loved to crochet, bake and cook. She was devoted to her parents who instilled in her a sustaining faith in Christ. Karen cherished her cats Tetley, Angel and Squirt—good companions all, able to give and receive unconditional love and to bring her great joy. Karen is survived by her father, Owen, her siblings William, Joan Crawley, Patricia (Chip) Profili and Christine; nieces Virginia Crawley, Christine (Rick, Aiden, Madison) Harper, Michelle (Shawn, Ava) Blake, Valerie (Nik) Mebane and her nephew, Joseph Crawley, plus the family's newest generation: Aiden and Madison Harper and Ava Blake. Karen was predeceased by her beautiful and beloved mother, Winifred Brunt Kittilstad. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Herndon VA on Friday April 25. Visitation begins in the church at 10:00 am followed by 11:00 Mass and then burial at Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Herndon. Flowers are welcome, but friends and family are also encouraged to make a donation to Birthmothers.org and to consider becoming a living kidney donor and/or to make known their organ donation status.