Karyn Ridley

March 4th, 1954 - September 30th, 2013

Karyn's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Karyn here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

I had the most amazing gift of reconnecting with Karyn last summer as she worked tirelessly on our high school reunion. She took over a spreadsheet I had started by saying, "do you mind if I put their last names first?". I laughed and thanked her for her skill and tact. Obviously, spreadsheets are not my forte.

I also had the rare opportunity to chat with her for an hour at her garage sale the weekend of the class reunion and she shared the story of her son. I felt more connected to her in that hour than I have to people with whom I have spent years and years. I morn the loss of a friendship I had hoped we could start again.

With deepest sympathy,
Pam Brown (Akerstrom)

Pam Brown Akerstrom

While I didn't get to know my husband's cousin Karyn very well, I'm glad that in the last few years our paths have crossed again and again. Whether generously gifting me with things she "thought I'd enjoy" , hosting a garage sale, tending the graves of family or talking about her beloved children; son, Chris and daughter Lacey, Karyn just had tons of personality, spunk and warmth. She spent time with her mother at the nursing home every night! I hope that Aunt Marge may not truly realize her loss. My condolences to her family and friends in thier loss of someone very special.

Marsha Ransom

I never met Karyn but I spoke to her many times on the phone and corresponded via emails frequently as a safety colleague. I could always count on her to reply to questions and add her ideas and comments and always made sure I did the same for her.
Upon reading all the condolences I felt compelled to add my own. Clearly, she was a wonderful person and I feel unfortunate not have known her on a more personal level. Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss.
Bob L.

Bob Lafontaine

Karyn,

I got to know you thru my late husband's (Jim Vinoski) work at Palisades and you were so friendly and easy to know. we stayed friends thru the years but really didn't get to visit as much as I would have liked. Years later after my husbands passing you were instrumental in helping me during a very difficult time, working behind the scenes quietly and without my knowledge until much later. You were a godsend! The Heavens above are going to have a tireless Angel working on the sidelines for all who may need it. Thank you again Karyn and may you be at Peace thru out your now Angelic life! Diane

Diane Vinoski

God Bless you Karyn,
It has been such a joy working with you over the past 30 plus years. You have been so kind to me by making sure that I had everything that I needed to work comfortably and safely at my desk since my back injury. Further it was such a pleasure to be able to observe you at times when you were able to be in a role of helping people, such as when the prescription safety-glass (eye) company was on-site, or when the safety shoe/boot company was on-site. You would go out of your way to make sure everyone was helped and nobody would be left out. In the end, everyone would get what he or she wanted, and needed. You never took the grandstand during these events and hardly anyone even knew that you were in-charge of these events, but things always went extremely well because of how much you cared about the well-being of others. You were truly one of a kind, and will be very much missed by all that knew you. I will keep you and Chris in my prayers.
God Bless You, and May You Rest In Peace

Bob Heimsath

Karyn and I met through Victim Services. She was extraordinarly dedicated to VSU, serving to keep the group organized through her long-held position of secretary and her 24/7/365 willingness to travel anywhere in the county (and sometimes into neighboring ones!) to console and support family and other loved ones after a tragic event. Karyn possessed a large and giving heart that blessed many, many complete strangers with comfort, support and direction at very dark times in their lives. She was an amazing soul and will be missed.

Sue Crouse

The world will miss you Karyn. We were very shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news of Karyn's passing. I will always have great memories of the events that you put together during my time in the HP Department at Palisades. What great organizational skills you portrayed, especially in the EMT and Safety group. I am very proud to have met such a person and to have worked with her at the plant. Lacey, please accept our heartfelt condolences during this time of grief, your mother touched many lives through her life journey.

Mike & Susan Ovington

My deepest sympathy to Lacey, Phillip and families. Karyn and I were 2 of the few girls in our neighborhood growing up, and so became fast friends. We rode bikes together, played endless games, and hung out after school most afternoons, one or the other of us cutting through the small ravine between our houses. In recent years we reconnected via the internet and came close to reuniting in person a couple of times but circumstances, sadly, intervened. So it has been decades since we saw each other, and still her sudden passing at such a young age has really hit me hard. It is clear from reading all the heartfelt remembrances here that my hometown has lost a generous and beloved soul.