Karen Kaplan

Karen Sue Kaplan, of Winston Salem, North Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, July 9th, 2024, at the age of 72. She is survived by her nieces Deborah (Steven) Berkowitz and Laura (Jason) Gardy; great nieces and nephews Asher Gardy, Sari Berkowitz, Lane Gardy, Seth Berkowitz, and Harrison Berkowitz. She was predeceased by her sister, Marilynn Walman and by her parents Allan and Shirley Kaplan.
A proud graduate of Smith College, she enjoyed a career in packaging where she mastered every aspect from forecasting and purchasing raw materials to the final design touches, working with esteemed companies such as Avon, Nabisco, and RJ Reynolds.
Karen was a gifted individual and a voracious consumer of culture, ideas, and information. She reveled in the world around her, appreciating the wisdom of ancient cultures and their enduring impacts on everything from art to politics. She enjoyed sharing ideas, and her seemingly eidetic memory provided endless opportunities to joyfully recount the facts and stories she found most provocative.
A lifelong student of her times, Karen was at Watkins Glen and was an avid fan of the music of the 60s and 70s, especially the Grateful Dead. Her adventurous spirit and cultured tastes were a significant part of her identity. She introduced her nieces to the wonders of Cirque du Soleil and numerous museums, fostering a deep appreciation for the arts in them.
Karen was a lover of the natural world and had a penchant for birds in particular. In her life, her closest companions were the several cats she kept, the most beloved of which was Bosco.
She leaves behind a legacy of intelligence and cultural richness that will be remembered by those who knew her. She will be missed.
Services at Bnai Israel Cemetery - Southern Avenue, on Sunday June 14th, 2024 - at 11 AM. Please omit flowers. Contributions in her memory may be sent to the Snow Leopard Trust or The American Bird Conservancy.