Karen Savoie Murray

Murray, Karen Savoie SPRINGFIELD, Va. Karen Savoie Murray, 60, of Springfield, left her worldly body on Thursday, August 16, 2018. Karen was born on August 4, 1958, to Joseph C. and M. Patricia Savoie of Clifton Park. Karen was a 1976 graduate of Shenendehowa Central School District. She was also a 1980 graduate of the University of Maine at Orono where she received a B.S. in plant and soil science and received a M.B.A. from the University of California. Karen had a long, successful career at the USDA in Washington, D.C. While working in our nation's capital, she took pride in her ability to continue to work with small, rural communities on a personal level. She loved her business trips to rural America to meet our farming communities. Late in her career, she began work with the Environmental Protection Agency, continuing her work to benefit others in the community and across the nation. While working full time, Karen still volunteered on a regular basis. Anyone who knew Karen in this lifetime has been touched by her giving and generous spirit. Karen was a kind soul who went above and beyond whatever project she took on, seeking out someone to help or a place to donate her time or possessions. Throughout her cancer diagnosis and treatment, she spent thousands on DNA and other genetic testing to benefit her family's future healthcare. Her love of science made her seek out and participate in several clinical studies to benefit cancer research. Even in death, she has generously donated her body to science. During her life, Karen enjoyed the outdoors, her daily walks around the lake with her friends and neighbors and traveling, always to visit a friend or family member. Karen is survived by her daughter, Sarah Katherine Murray of Springfield; her parents, Joseph C. and M. Patricia Savoie of Clifton Park; sisters, Kyra (Richard) Miles of Lompoc, Calif. and Kristin Savoie Reinhart of Wilton; niece and nephews, Joshua Miles, Keegan and Kelton Reinhart. Karen is also survived by her former husband Timothy R. Murray. A memorial service will be held on September 9, 2018, from 12-4 p.m. in Fairfax Station, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local food bank or other serviceable charity. Karen was a selfless person who would want all of her friends and family to honor her memory by making it a practice to help others.