Obituary of Karen Darlene Secrist

Karen Secrist was born on October 17, 1947 to William and Ethel Hern and died in the early morning hours of October 17, 2023, at her home in the presence of her family, from several health complications.  She is survived by her husband of 55 years Dwight Secrist; their 3 children, Cheryl Phillips, Denise Ivey, and Brian Secrist; daughter in law Aline Secrist and son in laws Mark Ivey and Richard Phillips; 4 grandchildren, Laura Ivey, Olivia Ivey, and Kelly Ivey and Logan Secrist; her sister Sharon Spink and brother in law Dale Spink and beloved dog Dillon.

Karen was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and good friend to many.  After high school graduation in the late 1960s, she worked as an administrative assistant at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and Center for Disease Control before marrying her husband Dwight. She became a full time homemaker for 12 years, taking care of her husband, children, and mother in law. In the 1980s, she started work at George Mason University as Executive Assistant to the Chair for the Sociology and Anthropology Department. Karen retired from George Mason University after serving over 25 years.

She and her husband enjoyed spending time at the pool, traveling cross country, and camping with family at Myrtle Beach, SC. Karen and her husband recently moved to the Tampa, Florida area to spend time with the newest member of their family, grandson, Logan.

Church Services will be held at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Haymarket, Virginia and burial services will be held at Stonewall Memory Gardens in Manassas, Virginia later this month. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Karen’s favorite charity St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or LifePath Hospice Sun City Center Florida.