It is true that people come into our lives, sometimes for a brief time, and our lives are never the same. It is also true that even during a relatively brief life, that people can leave a legacy for those who will continue. Such is the case for Karen Georges, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, and a teacher.
Karen Georges attended Holy Cross School as a child and then went on to study to become a teacher, a teacher at the very school where she began her learning. For nearly 20 years, Karen taught Third Grade at Holy Cross School in Fort Branch and dedicated much of her time and talent to the school, the students and the other faculty. As fellow teacher, Lorinda Wallace, fondly remembers, “Karen cared deeply for Holy Cross School. Her soft-spoken, patient style of teaching yet effervescent personality was a wonderful example for others.”
Karen Georges died untimely and tragically in 1996 of breast cancer at the age of 42. Karen is survived by her husband, Rick, children, Richard, Jr., Ashlee, and Thekla, who also attended Holy Cross School. Her parents are Kenny and Theresa (now deceased) Holzmeyer and Karen was one of 10 children. A member of Blessed Sacrament, Karen received the Brute˘ award in 1995. During Karen’s illness, her family continued to see the passion that Karen had for teaching and her positive outlook. She wanted to teach until she was unable and her prayerful and spiritual attitude was so apparent even while she was ill. Mrs. Wallace remembers Karen coming to the school for her children’s conference during her battle with cancer.
Although Karen could no longer be there to continue her calling, her family knew her legacy must be continued at Holy Cross School. Her father, Kenny Holzmeyer, sums it up best by saying, “Although Karen’s time was short, we knew that we must help her carry on her work.” Through prayer, the family decided to create the Holy Cross Karen Georges Memorial Endowment to perpetually support the general pastoral and Religious Education purposes of Holy Cross School. Each year at the Holy Cross Association of Alumni and Friends’ Mass during Alumni weekend, Karen and the Memorial Endowment are remembered. The pastor, the principal, and a representative from the Holy Cross Education Commission decide how funds from the endowment will be used each year. This year, the annual distribution was used to refurbish part of the Holy Cross School.
How does one memorialize a loved one so that their presence continues making a difference to others? It is a question that many of us ask when we are faced with the loss of someone so dear. The Holzmeyer and Georges’ families have continued Karen’s legacy by establishing a permanent endowment. Each year, they see her gifts continue as the school uses the annual distribution to honor Karen’s memory.
For more information on how you can establish a permanent endowment to memorialize someone, please contact the Catholic Foundation at 424-5536 or email at lcox@evansville-diocese.org.
