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Karen Mapes Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Karen Mapes
Larry Carlin
July 26, 2024
Simply one of the sweetest people I have ever met. It was an absolute joy to have Karen as a teacher. God bless Karen and her family.
Larry C. Class of 81
Eric, Class of 1989
November 10, 2018
Dearest Teacher:
Thirty years ago, I sat in one of your classes, soaking in western literature
Homer, Sophocles, Chekov, Voltaire, Dante, Lewis, Shakespeare, Hesse, Camus, MacLeish, Laurence, Ibsen, Hemingway, T.S. Eliot and others
Books and books. How many times I have gone back to their words, over the decades, sorting through the problems of an ordinary life, applying the wisdom you left for us.
Mercy, you would say. The gravity of it left us all in tears.
We fell in love with ideas bigger than ourselves.
You threw us from the nest, soaring into an examined live worth living.
You taught us to see. You trained us to think. You unlocked everything, fearlessly.
Thank you, from my soul, for being the most important teacher of my life.
MITCH MORGAN, Class of 1980
December 28, 2013
My heart was heavy this week, when I learned of Ms. Karen Bald's (Mapes) passing from her husband, Bruce Mapes. Ms. Bald (Mapes) was my absolute "favorite" teacher and she not only inspired me academically, she inspired me personally as well! She was my mentor and true confidant during my high school years and I will always remember her warm heart & witty personality. Luckily, I was fortunate to see Ms. Mapes in December 2010, when I visited D.H.S. on a trip to PA. to attend a close friend's funeral. She was as vibrant as ever and I will truly miss her! My heartfelt condolences to you, Bruce and your family. We all lost a GREAT women, wife, mother and friend on 05/03/13. Godspeed, Karen!
Millie
July 16, 2013
She was a great teacher I had her for 12th grade english
Peggy Banks
May 14, 2013
Bruce,
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your dear wife, Karen. She was such a wonderfully upbeat person with an incredible sense of humor and a zest for life that was contagious. I, personally (as her cousin) have so many memories, especially from our childhood years. May God comfort you in your sorrow.
Joe O'Fria Class of 2003
May 12, 2013
Mrs. Mapes was one of a kind, not just a teacher, more of a friend. A friend that will truly be missed by many. My condolences to the family. God Bless.
James Sterchele
May 11, 2013
Dear Bruce and Family
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Jim and Barb Sterchele
Lisa Hamill
May 10, 2013
I grew up to be a high school English teacher; I pray I can inspire and love my students like my favorite teacher, Miss Bald, did for me.
Huzzah!
Chris Fulco
May 10, 2013
"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." (Harper Lee) Karen Mapes sung her heart out for her students each and every day. She was my mentor teacher when I started at DHS, and what I learned from Karen is that the way to motivate kids to learn is to love them, to sing for them, to show them you care. I have seen Karen walk into a classroom full of lethargic, apathetic seniors who want nothing to do with English and ignite in them a true passion for reading and for learning. Come to think of it, Karen's love for people wasn't just in the classroom. She loved and cared for everyone--Bruce, her boys, her co-workers, her students, her school, her English department, her administrators, and anyone she came in contact with throughout her day. She sang her heart out for everyone who would listen, and it is a sin that she has been taken from us so soon.
Susan Edwards
May 10, 2013
Bruce - Please accept my most sincere sympathy upon the loss of your wife. While I didn't know her, reading what others have to say about her, she must have been a wonderful person. My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time. Treasure the memories that you hold as well as the kind words that so many other people have chosen to share with you.
Kathy Thomson
May 10, 2013
Bruce and Family, please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss. Kathy, Richard, Trevor and Sean Thomson
Jennifer Smith-Westbrook
May 9, 2013
Sorry for our family's loss. She was a fabulous teacher, and impacted many young lives in such a positive way, including mine and my husband's.
George Hall
May 8, 2013
Bruce,
My heartfelt condolences for your loss. Karen will live on through them many wonderful things she did and the people she touched.
May God bless you and your entire family.
David McMonigle
May 8, 2013
Mrs Mapes had one great sense of humor that I found infectious. Her wit never ceased to amaze me. One of my favorite teachers.
Sarah Hyson
May 8, 2013
Though I only knew her a short time, her dedication to her students, and theirs to her, was remarkable. She was an inspiring educator, the kind that every teacher should strive to become.
J.P. Sanchez, Esq. DHS '97
May 8, 2013
In 1994, then Miss Bald, became ever etched as one of my favorite educators and unknowingly inspired me to take honors English my Junior year so that I could be in her AP English class my Senior year. I am especially grateful as I am likely one of few students that had the privileged to be taught by Mrs. Mapes for two years. My deepest sympathy to her husband, family, friends and the generations of future Downingtown students for their loss.
Taj Brown
May 8, 2013
ms. bald, you were a dazzling teacher, an incredible role model and a genuine person. thank you for teaching me so many things.
Mary Jo Steffes
May 7, 2013
Your passion for life and education was contagious. My sons feel truly privileged for all of your inspiration in and outside of the classroom . Your accomplishments will live on through the many lives that you touched.
May 7, 2013
Your passion for life and education was truly contagious. My sons feel very privileged to have known you. You will be missed by the many that you inspired and your accomplishments will live on through them.
Mary Jo Steffes, Downingtown, PA
Bettina Scibilia
May 7, 2013
My best memories of high school are of Karen's classroom. She taught with joy, and I became an English teacher to be like her.
jerriann manze
May 7, 2013
Dear Bruce and family, may the love of family and friends help to sustain you at this difficult time.
Shannon Roth, Class of '91
May 7, 2013
I was saddened to hear of the passing of "Miss Bald." She had the drive and dedication to make learning exciting. She taught, not only with words written or spoken, but with her actions as well. And of course 22 years later I can still hear her exclaim Huzzah! My condolences to Karen's family, friends and colleagues. Rest in peace Karen.
Emily Brown
May 7, 2013
I took Karen's English class my sophomore year of high school. Her ability to inspire us in the classroom transformed me from a person who hated writing into someone who realized I had a gift for it. To this day, when something is bothering me, I immediately put thoughts on paper, and I always think of Mrs. Mapes. Karen helped me with college essays, encouraged me to challenge myself, and always did everything with a positive attitude. Karen inspired me, and without her as a teacher, I would not be where I am today. It is truly inspiring to know someone who did exactly what they were meant to do who could touch so many lives in the process. I will always be grateful to have had Karen for a teacher, and I send her family my sincere condolences.
Laura "Ort" Often
May 7, 2013
Karen was my 10th grade english teacher in 1990 and was truly an amazing educator. She was creative, caring, challenging, innovative and fun. I have never forgotten her! I am so sorry she was taken from us so soon.
Flos Erickson
May 7, 2013
Karen taught both of my daughters and was a friend and colleague during our years at DHS together before we split. She was a lovely woman and wonderful teacher. She will be greatly missed.
Bonnie (Mauger) Stubbins
May 7, 2013
Dear Bruce and family ,
My father called to let me know and I was deeply saddened by this most recent loss of your family and I send my sincere sympathy to you and the family . I lost my beloved Merle 3/27/12 and know the pain and depth of the loss of your spouse , still dealing with it and I send you thoughts of peace and comfort and should you wish to talk , I am gald to listen. My dear friend , I miss you.
Lori Reardon
May 7, 2013
Karen, You gave so much to so many. Thank you for touching so many lives with the gifts you gave so graciously.
Godspeed.
Susie Yeager
May 7, 2013
I only had the privelege of knowing Karen for four years, but in that short time, i was able to see why people adored her. She exuded passion, charisma, sincerity, and love to all who knew her.
Colin Hammond
May 6, 2013
She was my favorite teacher many years ago, and since I moved back to Downingtown with my family, it was always a treat seeing her every Friday night at the football games. I will miss her smile and her enthusiasm. You will be missed dearly. Thank you for being the best teacher ever and an even better person.
Martin Conley
May 6, 2013
Mapes Family, Keep the Faith.
Karen, Thanks for being the loving Mother, Wife, and Teacher. God speed.
Uncle Marty
Robbie Pusey
May 6, 2013
I can honestly say, her class made me a better person. "Huzzah!"
Don Morabito
May 6, 2013
You always have been, and will always remain, the teacher who inspired me to become a teacher as well. Our profession has lost one of the greatest...Peace
Sara (Stanchina) Meyer
May 6, 2013
I am grateful to have been taught and inspired by Karen many, many years ago. Your family is in my family's prayers.
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