Karen M. Hudson

Karen Marie (Amaio) Hudson, 75, died of complications from Alzheimer's disease on September 13, 2019, in Richmond, Va., surrounded by family and friends. Karen graduated in 1962 from Manchester High School and went on to earn a degree in nursing at the Hartford Hospital School of Nursing in 1965. As a registered nurse, her life was defined as that of a tireless caregiver who often focused more on those in need than herself. She was born in Hartford, Conn., and grew up in nearby Manchester. She went on to live in New Jersey and Texas before moving to Fairfax County, Va., where she raised her family and was an active member of the community After 18 years dedicating her time as a loving mother, she returned to the nursing profession as the school nurse at McLean High School, in McLean, Va. In 1989 she was honored in a rare school-wide ceremony by the students, faculty, and administration for her humble role in saving a student's life. In 1990 Karen joined the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Falls Church, Va., and began a 23-year career as a psychiatric mental health nurse. In many cases mental illness lays a persistent, tragic, and irremediable burden on individuals and their families who do not have the means for private mental health care. Karen fought every day for the betterment of her patients and for the safety and support of the techs, nurses, and doctors with whom she worked. In 1999, she was recognized by her profession for the work she did caring for a particularly challenging case. Using her natural ability to be gentle but firm, she built a sense of trust with the patient that laid the foundation for him to face his illness and have hope. He often referred to her as "Mom." Some 20 years later, the patient is still leading a productive life with his family and is a functioning member of the community. This rare case is still widely cited as a success in Virginia mental health care. Throughout her life Karen was selflessly there whenever family, friends, or co-workers needed help most. She is particularly remembered for caring for the children of the families that were in need. Karen was pre-deceased by her father, Joseph Paul Amaio Jr., of Hartford, Conn., and her mother, Beryle Audrey Buckler of Natick, Mass. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Melisa Hudson of Richmond; a daughter, Rebekah Hudson, of Denver, Colo.; a brother, Joseph Amaio III of Vernon, Conn.; a sister, Marion Scavone, of Manchester, Conn.; two grandchildren, Luke and Adell Hudson, both of Richmond, and loving nieces, nephews and close friends. Karen also is survived by her cat, Lil, who she had saved from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). True to Karen's selfless nature, she had rescued another cat – Lucky – from a ditch on the side of the road. Lucky and Karen shared mutual companionship for 15 years before Lucky passed away. Her family knows that Karen and Lucky are back together again. A funeral service was held September 17, 2019, at the Bennett Funeral Home in Richmond. Cremation followed the service. On the same day and time, a moment of silence was observed at the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute in memory and reflection of Karen's service. For those friends and family who would like to commemorate Karen's care for others and her work in mental health, The Karen M Hudson | Mental Health Scholarship campaign has been established on GoFundMe.com with the hope of making a modest donation to the Virginia Health Care Foundation and its scholarships for mental health care workers in Virginia.