Karen Cordell Wygal
- Published: January 8, 2015
Karen Cordell Wygal
Our immortal beloved Karen lost her year-long battle to pancreatic cancer on Jan. 2, 2015. Although cancer took her, she was victorious in life! To know her was to love her. All who came into her presence felt her compassion, generosity and forgiveness. She had no enemies in this life.
Karen had a unique combination of internal and external beauty. Every girl knew, when Karen walked into the room, that they were playing for second place! However, her world-winning smile, humility and caring nature set all who she met at ease.
Shortly too, her intellect, wisdom and wit would become all too obvious. In support of this, she amassed very large home reading libraries in our Yellow Springs, as well as our award-winning Santa Fe home. Central theme to the books on the shelves: helping others!
Born and raised in her town, Yellow Springs, Karen had a passion for this place she called home, returning five years ago after 40 years traveling the world. When others who didn’t get Yellow Springs strayed, or misjudged, she called them out with passion, all to one central purpose: keeping “the Springs” true to its heritage and mission.
Karen traveled to California to attend college, graduating from Pitzer College, one of the renowned five Claremont Colleges. True to form, Pitzer was the west coast equivalent of Yellow Springs. The passion for justice went west!
At the Claremont Colleges, she met Gary, her husband of 43 years. She traveled the world, designed and built several of their homes in seven states throughout the country. She lived, in all too short of a time, several life times of experiences and accomplishments too numerous to call out in a single page or publication.
She is survived by her loving husband, Gary; their two children, Morgan and Justin; her supportive son-in-law, Greg, and Karen’s pride and joy, grandchildren Kendall and Quincy, as well as her mother Janice Cordell, sisters Paula, Carla and Judy and brothers Carl, Gary and Craig, all of whom (along with their spouses) were most supportive during this long past year’s ordeal. Karen also wanted to thank all of those who helped; friendship matters most when times are tough, and true friends showed their true colors in this battle.
At Karen’s request, no memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please support the eradication of “the silent cancer,” pancreatic cancer, by a donation to pancan.org.
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