Karen D. Adrian

The time has gone so quickly. The memories of our childhood seems like only yesterday. Those memories of school with all the fun and laughter are the best. It's with great comfort to think that we all will be together again one day. Your spirit lives on with us forever.

Karen was a high school classmate of mine. I admire her achievements in music and her dedication to excellence. She is missed by all who knew her. She has left quite a legacy.

I was a friend and fellow student with Karen at IU in the 1960s and was shocked to learn of her death today, December 2. I knew she was ill but unaware that she had died.

She was a fabulous musician, super piccoloist, and good friend over the years. My condolences to Sheryl and the rest of the family.

On the occasions I had an opportunity to work with Karen, her professionalism as a musician always inspired me to play my best too. She also touched me with her kindness, and in recent months, her amazing courage. FWSO won't be the same without Karen. My condolences to her family and close friends.

I will never forget Karen for being such a great mother-in-law to my son, John...we had that in common...we loved each other's children. I just don't know how to console Sheryl. I know Karen is looking over her lovely daughter right now.

I was a classmate of Karen at Charlottesville, IN., class of l962. She was a great musician then and has continued to be. Heaven will be blessed to have her beautiful music! My prayers go to her family and friends - Karen will be missed by all.

Judy Widvey Weidner

I met Karen in 1993 at TCU when I was taking piano lessons. She always had a smile and a minute or two to talk to me. Over the years, we had a number of interesting conversations about music and music-making, which I enjoyed a lot. I will think of her at every FWSO concert that I attend, and I don't think I will ever get used to not seeing her in her usual spot among the winds. RIP Karen.

I never got to study with her, but I admired her performing capabilities. I am sad to hear of her passing. My prayers are with her family and friends. I remember hearing of her accolades from my current flute teacher. She will be missed dearly.

My thoughts and prayers are with family and friends. Even though I havent seen or spoken to Karen or Sheryl in years. I will have lots of memories to carry with me from growing up. She was a remarkable woman that I always looked up to and admired. She will be dearly missed.

I've know Karen for many years through real estate transacations. I didn't have enough of a music ear to appreciate her great abilities. It was lovely to read the tribute. I am so sorry to have missed the memorial as I read about it on Thursday the day after. She was a wonderful person and I'm glad I knew her. Please accept my deepest sympathies.

My beloved flute teacher of eleven years who I will eternally adore
***
Kindness overflowing
Advice, given so perfectly for so many
Ripples in a pond of sound
Effortless beautiful tone colors
Never stop learning

Accuracy and precision
Dream big big
Rooted in wisdom, tree-like
Inner Game of Tennis and Music
Angelic melodies dancing through clear sunlight skies
New, fresh, creative flute sounds
***

Ms. A
You taught me through your words and your silence
My music is real because of you
Each time I now play or speak a word in a flute lesson
I will remember your time
Spent so freely and wisely with me
The flute teacher of a flute teacher of a flute teacher of a….
Quite a high place of honor

Yes, I’ll keep my fingers close to the keys now
With my head balanced on my shoulders in perfect posture
Playing the right notes
At the right time
In tune
With dynamics
And articulations
And perfectly shaped phrases
Listening to recordings and live music to be inspired
And staying with my accompanist

No word or sound in our human language could begin to describe
The amount of gratefulness that I feel
Each time I think of
My flute teacher
Karen Adrian

I had the privilege of performing flute and harp chamber music with Karen on several occasions. The last time we played together was September one year ago, in what turned out to be her last faculty recital at TCU. Karen played beautifully, even though she was ill at the time. She brought such a unique and personal perspective to the music, it was a pleasure to collaborate with her. A light has truly gone out with her passing and she will be greatly missed.

What a privilege to have known and worked with Karen. In addition to being a stellar musician, she was a person of such great integrity, and a true inspiration. She will be missed by so many. Sweet rest, Karen.

Karen was a valued colleague in the Fort Worth Symphony and Casa Manana. Thinking back on the last thirty years, I can only think of her smile and her laugh. She had a quiet tenacity about her, whether dealing with music or life. My deepest condolences to Sheryl, John, and the rest of her family.

I am so sorry to hear of the death of Karen. We worked together at TCU during my tenure there as Director of the School of Music. Her wonderful qualities were unending...a delightful person to be around, kind, caring, responsible, her own person, willing to give of herself to help others, etc. etc. Oh, I could go on and on! Of course the bottom line was her fine musicianship and her willingness to share her talents with so many people, many times without remuneration. Karen, we will miss you so very much.

Our thoughts are with her family and friends. We know she will be missed by all.

Karen was a high school classmate. She and I enjoyed competitions during those years. She was just such a natural musician.
The last time I saw her at a reunion she had not changed. She was the same easy going Karen. I can see she has touched many lives since our high school days, and used her talent to the fullest. I am so sorry that life was cut short.

What a blessing to our family! Kind and encouraging. A wonderful influence and teacher and friend for our daughter from 8th grade through college and beyond.

Karen was a great person. I remember walking out of rehearsals with her on several occasions. She had no pretense at all, only sweetness and humanity. Karen will be missed by many.

I met Karen on the tennis courts at TCU and she was always practicing on the backboard before our game. She was a wonderful lady and was always eager to play and was a ready fourth. Enjoyed seeing her several times in the Fort Worth Symphony and even shared in some tickets with another friend. She will be deeply missed on and off the court. It was such a pleasure getting to know her. With my deepest sympathy. Mary Ellen Sullivan

I met Karen on the tennis courts at TCU and she was always practicing on the backboard before our game. She was a wonderful lady and was always eager to play and was a ready fourth. Enjoyed seeing her several times in the Fort Worth Symphony and even shared in some tickets with another friend. She will be deeply missed on and off the court. It was such a pleasure getting to know her. With my deepest sympathy. Mary Ellen Sullivan

Karen Adrian was my flute teacher for 4 years at TCU. She helped me receive a scholarship so that I could attend and do what I loved at a great university. She was also the 1st person to plant the seed in my head about organic gardening, healthy living and thinking differently about health. Everyone is in your life for a reason and she definitely opened some new views for me that have helped me be more open. My sincerest condolences to her family. I'm sorry that she was lost so soon.

I met Karen on the tennis courts at TCU and she was always practicing on the backboard before our game. She was a wonderful lady and was always eager to play and was a ready fourth. Enjoyed seeing her several times in the Fort Worth Symphony and even shared in some tickets with another friend. She will be deeply missed on and off the court. It was such a pleasure getting to know her. With my deepest sympathy. Mary Ellen Sullivan

Ms. Adrian was a wonderful source of support and inspiration for me... it is because of her that I never gave up in my musical endeavors. I miss her so much. She was more than a teacher to me, she was also a friend and like a second mom. I am most grateful that God put such a precious person in my life.

I was a classmate of Karen at Charlottesville,Ind. class of '62. She is so talented. I know she had a great life doing what she was inspired to do. I visited her a few weeks ago when I learned of her illness and left a book with her beautiful daughter. I know she's in heaven now playing with the angels. Peace be with her family and friends. Bless her. Larry White,Arlington,Texas

I met Karen in 1973-74. For several years we taught private lessons together in Richardson schools. She was quick with a smile and always an inspiration for those around her. I have fond memories of meeting her in the mornings, before we'd start teaching...at Cottonwood Park's pool..swimming in a local Masters Swim program. I'd whine about the cold water...she'd just jump in...and swim, swim, swim.

Teachers who inspire leave behind legacies through their students, and many lives were touched through her teaching. Those legacies linger and keep her spirit with us. In time, may her friends, loved ones, and students find peace.

Ms. Adrian was such a wonderful person, who always had something nice to say about someone. I had the honor of taking a few flute lessons from her at TCU, and she always knew how to brighten my day. I remember one thing that she told me in particular. She said, "it isn't always about how much the judges or the audience liked or disliked your performance. It is about walking off that stage and knowing that you played from your heart. That should give you more satisfaction to know that you made your piece come alive." You will be greatly missed. -Nicole Bishop

Karen was such a pro!! I always admired her work ethic and her common sense about life. I am just so sad that her life ended so soon and my thoughts are with her friends and family. Jan Crisanti

Karen't piccolo playing first attracted her to me. So, I asked her to judge and perform in a recital at the AMTA Instrumental Festival at UTA in the 80's where she was gracious and performed beautifully. We became friends after that. She also supported the Texas Flute Society at various events. I will miss her smile and her professionalism.

The world has lost one of the most beautiful musicians. She has touched so many lives personally and musically. Love and miss you Karen!

Karen was loved and treasured by her students at TCU. They will miss her terribly, as will I, her flute colleague.
My thoughts are with her family and friends.

I've known Karen since we played together in the symphony 30 years ago. She has always been one of my favorite people, and a delight to hear in concert. She will be greatly missed, both personally and in music circles.

Our Monday morning tennis group loved Karen for her good nature and admired her for her strength and determination to try and beat her cancer. We will miss her. Carol, June, Loretta, Edythe, Phyllis, Fran and Yulan.

Karen was a dear person and remains a sweet and kind spirit. I will miss her very much.

Blaise Ferrandino

Karen taught my daughter the last four years and was a gifted teacher and became dear to our family. She will be greatly missed!
Melinda Russell

She was a strong person and someone I admired greatly.

Karen was a gifted teacher, talented musician, and a wonderful friend. I miss her dearly, but I hope we all find comfort in knowing that Karen knows no pain or suffering now. She is playing her part in the beautiful music of Heaven.

We've lost a good friend and great next door neighbor. She was going to help Zachary with his tennis. RIP.

Jack, Johanna and Zachary White

Beautiful, lively person made much lovely music and many friends. I was priveleged to know her. Toby Guynn

Condolences for her family, she was taken too soon.