Obituary of Karen R. Horvath

Karen R. Horvath, 73 of Reston, VA, passed away on April 14, 2013 in Potomac, MD, after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. She accepted her fate gracefully, with great dignity and inner peace. She was deeply loved by her family and those who knew her well. Karen, born on April 6, 1940 in Hackensack, NJ, was the daughter of the late Charlotte and Rafael Rosenberg of Teaneck, NJ. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Wisconsin in 1963, she did graduate work in broadcast journalism at Indiana University (IU) and also worked as a program information writer for what eventually became the Public Broadcasting System (PBS). She met her future husband and soul-mate, Jules Horvath, at IU where they were married in Beck Chapel in 1971. Karen retired from the U.S. Government’s Foreign Broadcast Information Service in 2007 where she was an intelligence analyst, writer/editor and training officer. She traveled worldwide extensively and lived overseas with her family on various government assignments including in East Asia, Africa, Middle East and Europe. Aside from her love of travel and great sense of adventure, Karen was an amazing and creative gourmet cook who greatly enjoyed entertaining her wide circle of international friends. Her wonderful butterflied leg of lamb and savory stuffed grape leaves, among others, were enjoyed by all. She was an avid reader of English literature who introduced her children to all manner of cultural delights including theater, museums and the arts. A devoted wife and loving mother, Karen was the core and heart of her family. She was also most generous with her time and attention in helping others, adding style and grace to all things she touched. Her joie de vivre, cheerful vitality, sense of humor and subtle elegance will be deeply missed. She is survived by her beloved husband and best friend, Jules of Reston, VA; loving sons Jonathan of Washington, D.C. and Adam and his dear wife, Chia Pearson, grandchildren Julia Jane and Wiley Isaac of Chevy Chase, MD. She is also survived by dearest sister Susan Martins and her son; her aunt Joan Farber and family; aunt Leila Rosenberg and family; the Birnbaum and Breslow families; sister-in-law Kriszta Van Arsdale and family; and brother-in-law Attila Horvath and family. An inter-religious memorial service celebrating Karen’s life will be held at 11 AM Saturday, May 4, 2013 in the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, 1 Chevy Chase Circle, NW, Washington D.C. 20015. Inurnment will be at a later date in The Columbarium, Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to support programming at WETA Public Television & Radio (3939 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206).