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Karen A. Rock

194 - 2013

Karen A. Rock obituary, 194-2013, Chambersburg, OR

BORN

194

DIED

2013

Karen Rock Obituary

(1949-2013)
AMHERST - Karen A. Rock died in her South Amherst home on the morning of Nov. 2nd, 2013, 13 days shy of her 64th birthday.
Born an army brat in San Francisco, CA, to the late Anthony and Hazel Joan (Curtis) Olshefski, Karen was the middle sister to Joan and Mary, and grew up in Chambersburg, PA. Karen was on her own spiritual journey, with a few stops along the way with more traditional practice of faith, from her first christening at age two, to her baptism at age 30. She was children's choir director at both The Fairview Chapel in Fairview, PA, and the A.M.E. Zion church in Amherst. Karen attended first Wilson College in Chambersburg, and eventually both Holyoke and Greenfield Community colleges, here in Massachusetts after moving in 1979, studying child psychology and art before the responsibilities of parenting pulled her away from the completion of her education.
From then on Karen strove to educate, both herself and others. She was a member of ARISE for economic justice, Hampshire Community Action Commission and Coalition for Basic Human Needs to name a few. Much of her time and energy was poured into welfare rights activism. Karen was a powerful public speaker, seeking to motivate, organize and empower those who struggled in poverty or were survivors of domestic abuse. She was a long-standing political cartoonist and literary contributor to The Survival News (Boston, MA). Karen expressed her political views through art in the same way she wove it through her entire life.
A spiritual woman of strong faith, Karen Rock leaves behind a host of loving family and friends. There were her children: Vicki Attenborough, Laura Ketchakeu, Christopher Diffenderfer, Joshua and Heather (Olmstead) Rock and William Rock. There were those with whom she held the role of legal guardian: Leo Haggerty, Phedra (Bowser) Barbour, Lianexis Collazo, David Heyes, Lee Thomas and Bieu Rock-Aneiryn. There were also the other children whose lives she touched in the course of her journey, and with whom she established a strong and lasting connection: Angela, Eve, Julliette, Melinda and Deja to name a few, I could never name them all. Perhaps of paramount importance in her life were the grandchildren Karen left behind all too soon: Monica, Leanne, Thomas, Arianna, Cain, Madeline.
Karen will be remembered as many things, to many people. Chiefly among them are: mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, wife, friend, lover, inspired artist, passionate musician, fearless dancer, writer, poet, teacher, leader, advisor, anti-poverty warrior, children's advocate, a lifelong protector of ducks and turtles, a Spiritualist, a citizen of the world, and a child of the universe. She spent a lifetime trying to make the most of her situation, and to make sense of her challenging life. Karen Rock was an enigma, unique, mysterious, impressive, intimidating, and beautiful, a veritable force of nature. She was the hub on which the lives of her children and grandchildren revolved, and she will be sorely missed. However, I am certain that Herman Jezebel, Waldo, Bobbi-Ann, Estelle and Bruce will be among those happy to see her.
A memorial service will be held in Karen's honor on Sunday, Nov. 17th, 2013 from noon to 2 p.m. at Groff Park on Mill Lane in South Amherst, MA.
A celebration of her life will follow from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Amherst VFW Post 754 at 457 Main St., Amherst, MA 01002.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: The Karen Rock Memorial Fund, Florence Savings Bank, Attn: Monica Houle, 5 Main St., Easthampton, MA 01027.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Recorder on Nov. 14, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
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Earl Diffenderfer

November 9, 2024

Watching and waiting for someone play with .I miss our conversations about the kids ? I don't have the pixie glue that you haveon the children. They miss you terribly as I do .

self-portrait

Mary Lou Conca

December 10, 2013

I met Karen in the eighties when we participated in activism against cutting welfare benefits, and other programs keeping the poor alive. We orgainized groups, and made trips to the state house where she would speak out on the audacity of those cutting our programs. Her words captured all those in her audience. She was awesome. She painted my full size portrait, and attached my poem to it. What a gift! She let me keep it, something she never did with her paintings. I am honored to have it hanging in my home. We shared many hours sipping coffee, in deep conversation. Karen had a beautiful, insight of the world, and always managed to find the humor, the smile, in any problem you might be having in the moment. She lifted my spirit many times. I can hardly believe she is gone. When I heard the news, early the next morning, I saw the pre-dawn skies were exceptionally bright, filled with dancing stars, and I knew then she made it to heaven. Karen Rock~Freedom Fighter Forever In My Heart.

November 19, 2013

I miss very much!!!!! Sad no pain , Bookends forever Love Earl Diffenderfer

Vira Douangmany Cage

November 17, 2013

I cherish the too few interactions I had with Karen, whether on the #31 bus, waiting for it in town or wrapping up our extended conversations on her front stoop. We discussed her love: family, community, art, activism, surviving, history, organizing, ARISE, Spare Change, Moms Rising and the struggles she engaged in collectively and individually in pursuit of ending: wars, hunger, poverty, joblessness, domestic violence, police brutality, racism, sexism, discrimination, the school to prison pipeline to name a few. I loved that she was an artist and activist. I loved that she loved writing, painting, and was always armed with sidewalk chalk to occupy the children. I loved that her art and writing is in the world, so that we may continue to be graced by Karen's spirit, optimism, courageous and bold truth-telling.

Karen Grossi

November 17, 2013

I met Karen many years ago and though we lost touch her influence was far-reaching. I just learned of her passing and offer my deepest condolences to all those whose lives she graced. She was a divine force in and on this world and was a very important person in my life for a few years-kind of a mother figure to me before I even realized I needed one (my own mother died when I was young). Her fierce example of how to live life unapologetically, her resilience, her compassion and passion impacted me deeply. I hope for all that love her and were loved by her that you can find solace in the memories you shared and knowing that she touched the lives of many. I am very grateful to have met her and am a better person because our paths crossed.

I am deeply sorry for your loss.

Laura and Arianna-you are especially in my thoughts.

Sincerely,

Karen Grossi

Curt Sanders

November 15, 2013

Hello Karen. From the distant past... an old friend salutes you.

November 14, 2013

Always looked forward to reading about Karen and her heartfelt work in the world. We crossed paths years ago and I will never forget your passion. So glad to see her legacy carry on.
Wendy

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