Karen Lynn Davidson
1943-2019
The world lost a pre-eminent scholar and gifted musician when Karen Lynn Davidson departed this life on October 14, 2019, at her home in Salt Lake City. She was born in Glendale, California, to Gerald Orvel and Mary Callan Lynn on July 11, 1943, and grew up in a loving home in nearby Burbank.
Karen received B.A. and M.A. degrees in English literature from Brigham Young University. Her Ph.D., with an emphasis in medieval English literature, is from the University of Southern California. Karen also held two major postdoctoral fellowships - at Cambridge University in England and at the University of Chicago. At BYU, she was a member of the English faculty (nine years) and Honors Program Director. Karen also taught at USC, Long Beach City College, Pasadena City College, and the Mayfield Academy.
As an accomplished violinist and violist, she was concertmaster of the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra (five years), Pasadena Community Orchestra, and Rio Hondo Symphony in California. She also played with the Orchestra at Temple Square.
Two hymns with texts by Karen are in the hymnbook of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good" and "O, Savior Thou Who Wearest a Crown." Karen served on the General Music Committee and is the author of the popular Our Latter-day Hymns: The Stories and the Messages.
Beyond her musical contributions, Karen authored articles and books, including Thriving on Our Differences. She was co-editor of the Histories Volumes 1 and 2 of The Joseph Smith Papers series, co-authored Eliza: The Life and Faith of Eliza R. Snow, and was co-editor of Eliza R. Snow: The Complete Poetry. Karen served for decades in various Stake and Ward Relief Society callings and recently on the Board of the Mormon Scholars Foundation.
Karen and her late and beloved husband, David A. Davidson, lived a very full life. Residences over the years included Irving, TX; Princeton, NJ; Manhattan, NY; Pasadena, CA; Hilliard, WY; & Salt Lake City, UT.
She is survived by two sisters, Barbara Rencher (Roy) of Farmington, UT, and Diana Roskuski (Ron) of Mesa, AZ; five stepsons, Joseph Davidson (Laura), John Finch (Dierdre), Robert Finch (Lezli), Wesley Davidson, and Eliott Davidson, along with 308 (yes, 308!) dearly loved nieces and nephews (including greats and great-greats), and a host of wonderful friends collected throughout her remarkable life. She had an avid passion for chocolate, Diet Coke, BYU Cougars, PBS, KBYU-FM classical radio, opera, New York Times Friday crossword puzzles, and The New Yorker magazine.
A family burial took place in Dayton, Idaho on Friday, October 18, 2019, according to Karen's wishes. If you wish to honor Karen, donations may be made to the Church Humanitarian Aid fund or to a charity of your choice.
The family expresses appreciation for the staff of LDS and Western Peaks Hospitals and South Davis Specialty Care, along with Doctors Lisa Kuwahara, Nathan Richards, and Mark Lewis for their kind and compassionate care.
Please share online condolences at www.larkinmortuary.com

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

Published by Deseret News on Oct. 20, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Karen Davidson

Sponsored by Mortuary.

4 Entries

Lois Sucher

December 19, 2020

With tearfilled eyes, I discovered that my favorite teacher at BYU passed away last year. She holds a special place in my heart for the tremendous impact on my life. English and writing were never an easy for me my entire scholastic life. I took technical writing from her, and she changed everything for me. In my business career, many times I was asked to write the summaries, presentations, and business plans as my bosses would remark, I could get to the "heart of the matter" quickly. In my nursing career, she has helped me to write notes, orders, communications that "paint the picture" without excessive narrative. I was always honored to sing her hymns at church when the new hymnbook came out in 1980's. Oh, how I wished I could have offered my sincere gratitude to her while alive. She will be one of the first I will seek out when I cross the veil.

Laura Wirthlin

October 22, 2019

I do not know Sister Davidson, but would like to extend my deepest, heart-felt condolences to the families in her passing.

The words she wrote to the hymn, "Each Life That Touches Us For Good" mean a lot to me. When my late husband and I lived in Virginia, I was the ward chorister. Our dear bishop was killed in a motor vehicle accident. The next day was Sunday, and we changed the opening hymn to "Each Life That Touches Us For Good" to honor this great man!!!

Honor to Sister Davidson for the inspiration she received to write those beautiful, comforting words!!!

May Heavenly Father wrap you in the arms of His great LOVE and whisper peace to each of you.

John Meyers

October 20, 2019

On behalf of the Meyers family, I send our love and condolences to the Lynn and Davidson families. I never knew Karen in her professional capacities but our families were linked because our fathers served together in the Argentine missing in the late 1930's. I did know Karen and Barbara during our growing up years in So. Calif. Many from the Lynn family, including Karen, attended my father's funeral and we sang Karen's hymn, "Each Life That Touches Ours For Good." Surely that hymn describes Karen's influence on many.

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