Karen S. Emott

Karen S. Emott

Karen S. Emott, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 8th, 1944, was a beacon of charisma and compassion, whose magnetic warmth and personality radiated to all those fortunate enough to know her. Karen was a gamer, ready to say “yes” to life’s adventures: yes to a new job in Darien, CT right out of school; yes to a blind date which ended up being the love of her life; yes to being an expatriate in England for 3 years; yes to travel, to cheering on the CT Huskies and to spoiling her dogs. Karen achieved a Life Master rank in bridge, a testament to her razor-sharp intelligence; she was a stoic trooper through all of life’s many trials; she loved living in West Simsbury, CT for 45 years but never lost her West Virginia accent. Above all Karen loved her family with a fierce protectiveness, dedicating her life to nurturing and imparting her steadfast common sense and uncanny intuition onto her children and grandchildren.

Karen was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. She married the love of her life, David T. Emott, on Nov. 25, 1967, and together they exemplified commitment, partnership, support and growth–all that love embodies. Despite her retirement from her career as a Physical Education teacher in 1971, Karen never stopped teaching. She instilled the values of stoic resilience, magnanimous generosity, and intentional thoughtfulness in her children, David Emott Jr, Molly Emott and Bradley Emott, and her grandchildren, Isabella, Madalena, David, Maddox, and Wilder. She was a cherished sister to JoEllen Louden and was dearly loved by her brother-in-law, Barry Louden (m. JoEllen), her son-in-law Eric Crespo (m. Molly) and her daughter-in-law, Emily Bien (m. Brad).

Karen was preceded in death by her father Jack Stark, her mother Harriet Stark, her son David Taylor Emott Jr, and her sister Judith Stark. As a testament to the way she lived her life, we find guidance in The Desiderata by Max Ehrmann:

“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”

Remember Karen with joy, celebrate her with love, and honor her by living with the loyalty, integrity and generosity of spirit she demonstrated every day.