Karen Marie Knapp, who blogged at From the Anchor Hold, has passed away. Mark Shea has information about Karen and her passing. Karen was the first person to link to my personal blog, An Aid to Memory, after I became Catholic in 2004. Apparently she was suffering from an incurable disease, but it obviously did not slow down her mind, as her insightful and charitable blog posts show. In the image above, Karen is in the middle. This image comes from her personal site. Mark Shea has a quote from Karen which I think is apt, and one that I think we should heed:

I live alone. I have no kin less than a full day’s drive away. I’m chronically ill with a disease that is incurable and fatal. Though I am doing all the things I need to do to collect on the “15 to 20 years of medically manageable symptoms”, such as taking all my medicines, doing my physical therapy, using my oxygen, and so on, the fact is that I could easily be Called at any time. And the first notice of my passing, when my body finally stops working entirely, is very likely to be a blaring loudspeaker just like the one in the cafeteria this noontime, at some hospital or skilled nursing facility. I hope that when my time comes, and the loudspeakers start hollering about my room, that there is someone who takes pity on me and prays for me. It’s on that list of the Things Catholics Do, the Works of Mercy: Pray for both the living and the dead. – Karen Marie Knapp

Eternal Rest grant unto her,
O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.