Obituary of Karen J Howell

Surrounded by family and friends, Karen Jane Howell, a resident of Easton and longtime educator at Hillel and Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academies, passed away on Tuesday morning, September 29th from kidney failure. Most would agree that great people have some combination of ambition, charisma, intellect, talent, and focus - all honed by a sense of humility and duty, which allows them to learn from their mistakes and to adjust to the needs of others. Karen Howell was truly a great person, and as a wife, mother, sister, friend, teacher and dancer, she inspired the same qualities in countless others. Her numerous professional awards include the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, Connecticut Science Teacher of the Year and Connecticut State Science Fair Teacher of the Year, along with numerous first place awards for her schools and students at the Connecticut State Science Fair over the last 20 years. Karen Howell clearly had the raw talent to do most anything, but she measured her professional success based upon what she was able to manifest in the young lives in which she played an intimate teaching role. She and her husband Jack hosted many field trips over the years and spent most weekends working on science projects with students and tending to the critters, greenhouse and other projects at school. Each year, they organized several charitable outreach opportunities for her students, fostering a strong sense of community. Over the years, Karen's students went on to prominent positions in the fields of medicine, science, law, business and teaching, among others. Many kept in touch and often invited her to their graduations and weddings, which always brought Karen such joy. She never thought about her teaching success in personal terms and her legacy of "learning and serving" lives on through her students. Karen also had a lifelong love of dance and the arts. She was and will always be an integral part of D'Valda and Sirico Dance Studio. She loved taking students to see and experience the American Ballet Theatre in New York City, but also tutored, lectured on nutrition and provided endless support to hundreds of young dancers. Karen Howell was a star that will shine bright in the hearts of her family, friends and students. The Howell family is hosting a celebration of Karen's life at their home on Sunday, October 4th, from 1-4 pm, at 14 Pond Road, Easton, CT 06612. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the D'Valda & Sirico Foundation for the Karen Howell Memorial Scholarship in recognition of her life-long devotion to the arts and education. Tax deductible donations can be sent to the D'Valda & Sirico Foundation, 1580 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Arrangements under the care of Nutmeg State Cremation Society. To send condolences to the Howell family, please visit www.nutmegcremation.com