Karen Marie Schulz OBITUARY

Karen Marie Schulz (née Grans) of Malvern, PA passed away peacefully on Monday, December 18th, 2023, in Paoli, PA after a months-long illness. Born May 14, 1938 to the late G. Clinton and Lillian Grans, Karen was raised in St. Paul, MN. She graduated from St. Olaf College in 1959 with a degree in Spanish. After college, Karen moved to New York City, where she held numerous jobs, including at The Ford Foundation, as well as modeling both in print and on television. Eventually settling in Berwyn, PA with her former husband Robert, Karen raised twin sons, after which she returned to academia, earning a master’s degree in Counseling and Human Relations from Villanova University. She then worked as an intervention counselor, helping individuals suffering from substance abuse. Karen went on to earn a second master’s degree, in Spiritual Psychology, from the University of Santa Monica, and lived in California for several years before returning to the Philadelphia area. Karen enjoyed painting and poetry, publishing a book of her poems, Dancing with the Birds of Paradise, in 2017. She also enjoyed bowling, hiking, knitting, and gardening. More recently, she enjoyed playing the ukulele and performing in a local 4th of July parade. Most of all, she relished the friends she made along the way while pursuing these passions. In the final years of her life, Karen resided at Echo Lake Senior Living in Malvern, and was active in St. Peter’s in the Great Valley Episcopal Church. Karen is survived by her sons Brian (Mate Converse) of Wellesley, MA and Gregory (Lena Bodos) of Reading, MA. Karen was grandmother (“Grans”) to Liddy, 22, Roby, 19, and Michael, 14. A Celebration of Life service will be scheduled for Spring 2024. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be given to the Brandywine Valley SPCA Animal Health Center.