Karen Bailey

1942 - 2022

Karen Bailey was born in 1942 in Marlinton, West Virginia. She grew up on a farm near Meadville Pa. After graduating from Townsville High School, she and her best friend, Nancy Matthews (Merrit) moved to Washington, D.C., to work for the Federal Aviation Agency. Later in the mid-seventies, she and her family relocated to Nelson County. Karen worked for Peoples Bank of Nelson as the secretary to the bank president. She loved her position there. She loved seeing all of the customers from the community and helping newcomers to Nelson open their bank accounts. She always made time to listen to folks stories of hardship and joy. She accepted people for who they are and loved helping in any way she could. She passed away while visiting her daughter, Andria Lovejoy, in Burlington Vermont.

She leaves behind her son, Shane Bailey of Lovingston; her brother, Robert Smith of Washington D.C.; her stepchildren, Ian Treadway of Waynesboro and Sarah Treadway Shanesy of Charlottesville; her granddaughters, Amy Bailey and Emily Bailey, both of the Newport News, Virginia, area; her niece, Fran Bailey Burke (Tim) and five grandchildren. She also leaves behind her long-time friend and caregiver, Steve Kidd of Lovingston.

Karen Bailey will be missed by so many friends and loved ones. She shared her kindness, tolerance, and positive outlook with so many who were lucky to have been touched by her. Her final resting place will be alongside her parents, Albert Norman and Beatrice Phillips Smith at Roselawn Gardens in Meadville, Pa. Throughout her life she adopted and loved many animals, so if anyone would like to make a donation in her name, please consider donating to Almost Home (SPCA) Pet Adoption on Stagebridge Road in Lovingston.