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Karen POWDER Obituary
She was born Karen Gray Willemain, Sept. 28, 1954, to Bernard and Rose Willemain, of Phoenix, Md., where she was raised with her eight sisters and six brothers. In 1982, Karen married her high school sweetheart, James Powder of Timonium Md. Together they enjoyed many adventures, the biggest of course was raising their two children.
Karen and Jim relocated to the Suffolk, Va., for Jim's job with Smithfield Packing Co., in 1993. They most recently moved to their dream home on the water in Hampton, Va., where the family enjoys gardening, kayaking, fishing, crabbing, and bird watching. Karen's talents as an interior decorator and a gifted and accomplished gardener, left her mark in transforming their 1910 home into a uniquely beautiful place.
Karen was bright energy, full of spirit and love and creativity and touched everyone in her life. We hope to live by her example. Her biggest passion was her family.
A loving wife, mother, and sister, Karen is survived by her husband of 27 years, Jim Powder; her son, James Kyle; and daughter, Jenna Rose. Also left to cherish her memories are her sisters, Janet, Barbara, Chrissie, Joanie, Martha, Mary, Lisa, Susan; and her bothers, Nick, Steve, Joe, Rick, and David.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Jonathan.
Karen was the loving sister-in-law to the Powder family, Trish, Susie, Joe, Carolyn, and Bill; and aunt to more then 50 nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, at the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, Hampton, Va. A funeral Mass for Karen will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, at St. Joseph's Church, Hampton, Va.
Memorial donations may be made, in honor of Karen, to the Susan G Komen For the Cure. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Karen POWDER
Terri Buser
September 27, 2010
Dear Powder Family,
I was so sad to hear Karen had lost her battle with breast cancer. She was a wonder person as she and I had lots of fun playing softball before we were all married with kids. I can still see her smile and always enjoyed spending time with her! We lost touch for a long period of time but got back in touch when we both realized we were pink ribbon sisters. I so hoped she would beat the disease. I will miss her and hope she is smiling down on us this year during the Komen walk!
April 21, 2010
Barbara, you and Karen's family have my sympathy and my prayers. Joan
April 21, 2010
Dear Barbara, I am so sorry to learn of your loss. Karen has fought courageously for her life and her family's happiness and I admire the strength and love of your family as you stood by her. She will be remembered fondly by many, even by those who didn't know her personally. Please accept my and my family's condolences and best wishes. Yuliya (Lockheed Martin and SSA)
April 21, 2010
Barbara, I am so sorry to hear of your sister Karen's passing. May she rest in perfect peace. May you all find peace in your hearts and my God bless. .....Hawa Mohammed
April 21, 2010
I pray for God to comfort Jenna, Kyle, Jim, and the extended family during this time of loss, George
April 20, 2010
Barbara,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Karen. May God give your family strength at this difficult time.
Junhua
April 18, 2010
May God give your family strength. Sincere condolences on your loss. leah, (Lockheed Martin)
Lisa Pane/Cole
April 16, 2010
Jim and the Willemain Family,
I am sorry to hear the loss of Karen. May you all find peace in your hearts.......Lisa Cole aka Merle Coe
Barbara Besche
April 16, 2010
Dear David, your brother and sisters, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Karen. My heart goes out to all of you because I have just gone through a loss of a loved ones too.
Love, Barbara Besche
bindu Johnson
April 16, 2010
Hi Barbara,
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss of Karen. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May she rest in God’s peace.
With deepest condolences,
Bindu Johnson (SSA)
Rachel Porteous
April 14, 2010
Dear Janet and all your brothers and sisters, we are so sorry for your loss....the world has lost a beautiful spirit. With love from Rachel, James, Charlie and Eve (Wellington, NZ)
masha
April 14, 2010
Very sorry for your loss. May God give you all the strength to carry on. We will pray for you - masha(MD)
Aparna Shukla
April 14, 2010
Barbara, my deepest symathies and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Amanda Kirsh
April 14, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Jenna and your family... With love... Amanda & Ryan
Cindy Martie
April 14, 2010
I am sorry to hear of your loss. I always looked forward to talking to your mom at school and at Heirloom Botanica.
kim smith
April 13, 2010
i am sorry to hear of the loss of ms.powder. i work at ames cleaners and just said today i had not seen her in a while and hoped she was okay so i was very full of sorrow when i saw her name in the paper. she was a great lady and always so sweet may god bless each of you in this time of sorrow and mat each person that knew ms.powder will be touched by the warmth she always showed to each of us.
Jacki Holland
April 13, 2010
We are so sorry to hear the sad news of Karen's death. She fought a tireless battle and now is with your Mom and Dad and Jon laughing and telling old family tales. I will always see her beautiful smile...trying to figure out how she was going to sneak back into the house without getting caught..she definitely was an energy source..I will think of her often...with love... Jacki and Cliff Holland
Sainath Bandari
April 13, 2010
Barbara, I am so sorry to hear about this. I understand how hard to digest the loss of a family member. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please take care. - SAI (LM)
Dave Nelson
April 13, 2010
Barbara, I pray for Karen and all of your family at this time of sorrow.
Dave Nelson
April 13, 2010
Dear Kyle and Jenna,
I am so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. She was truly a special lady. She loved you guys so much! She was such a ball of energy and sunshine! I loved getting to know her when I taught you both. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love,
Lynne Copeland
John Yeates Middle School
April 13, 2010
Jim, Kyle, Jenna, Janet and all the Willemain's, David and I were so sorry to hear of your deep loss of the vibrant, beautiful and loving spirit that was Karen. You are all in our thoughts and prayers throughout this very difficult time....
Sherl Eberwine (Suffolk, VA )
Sharon Martin
April 13, 2010
Nick, so very sorry to hear about Karen. My prayers are with you and your family. Sharon Martin (Mickey's sister)
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