Karen Janine Gardner

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Karen Janine Gardner, 60, of Huntly, Virginia. Karen peacefully passed away on November 2, 2025 as the rising sun shone upon her face after an 8-year battle with cancer. Up until the end, Karen maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, appreciation of life and the love of family and friends.
Karen was born on September 14, 1965 to Robert Lucius and Elizabeth Ann (Stewart) Gardner in Falls Church, Virginia. She spent her early years in Fairfax, Virginia with her parents and siblings, attending St. Leo The Great Catholic School and graduating from Bishop Denis J. O'Connell Highschool. Shortly afterwards, Karen started her lifelong career in information technology services. She went on to study at Northern Virginia Community College earning her associate's degree in Applied Sciences with a minor in Marketing, and George Mason University earning both her bachelor's degree in Independent Studies and her master's degree in Information Technology Systems.
In 1987, Karen welcomed her daughter, Casey Lynne, born August 15 in Falls Church, Virginia.
In 1990, Karen met Michael Lawrence Giblin, and they wed on October 17, 1997, going on to raise their blended family of 5 children, Stephanie, Christopher, Joshua, Casey and Jeremy in Centreville, Virginia. Karen and Michael enjoyed splitting their time between their Centreville home and their weekend home in the mountains of Huntly, Virginia where they later retired.
Karen was preceded in death by her husband Michael; parents Elizabeth and Robert, and is survived by her children, Stephanie, Christopher, Joshua, Casey, Jeremy and her cat, T'Challa; grandchildren, Rebecca, James and Charlotte; and siblings, Sandra, William and Thomas, who will never forget the love she brought to their lives.
Donations to the Melanoma Research Alliance, in lieu of flowers in honor of Karen's memory, are welcome.