Karen Kirk Carson

Karen Kirk Carson passed away on March 25, 2025 at 90 years old, surrounded by loved ones. Karen Mae Kirk was born in Marysville, CA on October 20, 1934 and in her first years was known affectionately by the nickname “Ducky” since her father, Beverley Ormiston Kirk, had been out duck hunting when her mother, Verna Brewer, went into labor. Karen had an older brother, Kenyon, and was in childhood a kick-the-can playing tomboy until she grew into a stunningly beautiful and slender young lady, at which point her nickname evolved into “Slats”, since she was as slender as a fence slat. All the boys were madly in love with her, and her greatest conquests occurred during the summers in Lake Tahoe, where one summer she and a young medical student fell madly in love (of which more later). Karen went to school at UC Berkeley, where she was a member of the Tri Delta sorority, modeled professionally in San Francisco, and excelled at French, English literature, and history – topics which she continued to develop throughout her life. She spoke French on numerous trips to France in addition to Spanish at home; she was a voracious reader and could read a novel at lightning speed, and she knew the genealogy of all the Kings and Queens of England, as well as the history of both World Wars, by heart.

She married out of school John Phillip Lowney, and they had one son, John Phillip Lowney, III, and adopted a daughter, now Katherine Sukla. They lived in Ontario in Southern California, and then moved to Piedmont where Karen was involved in numerous ladies’ groups and charities, such as the Junior League, the Junior Alliance of Lincoln Child Center, the Junior Center Guild, Spinsters & Dames, the United Crusade, the Children’s Hospital, and the Heart Association. The Lowneys moved to Rutherford in 1967, and in her impeccable style Karen renovated the historic 1880s Atkinson House at the heart of what is now St. Supéry winery. She also welcomed into her home Teresa Gonzalez Ramirez, known to the family simply as Tia, who immediately became a lifelong friend and family member.

After the Lowney marriage ended, Karen came again in contact with the young medical student she had fallen in love with at Tahoe so many years previously, and in 1973 she and Dr. James G. Carson, the respected and beloved orthopedic surgeon at the Queen of the Valley, married, moved to a ranch with a lovely lake off of Soda Canyon, and were surprised by the arrival of a daughter, Susannah Glenmore Carson. Karen continued her volunteer work with the Napa County Medical Society Auxiliary and the Napa-Solano Cowbelles. Jim then accepted a position as an Air Force surgeon at Lakenheath, and the new family lived for two years in a cottage in Norfolk, England. Upon moving back home, Karen decidedto turn her love for antiques into a shop and for 23 years she ran The Irish Pedlar, specializing in Irish, English, and eventually French country antiques. She traveled extensively on antiquing trips, first with her manager, Juanita Greene, and then with her daughter, Susannah, throughout Europe; some of her very favorite times were spent scouring antique shops, flea markets, and brocantes.

After Jim died in 1994, Karen moved to a house off Silverado Trail, which she again furnished with her exquisite antique style, and she spent many years nurturing a beautiful garden whose roses people would make a purpose of visiting every year. She found love again with Albert Maggini of Santa Rosa, who passed away in 2023 at the grand age of 107. Karen took a special interest in her grandchildren, Colin Lowney, Ian Lowney, and Suesan Hunt-Haberstumpf, and she was delighted by the arrival of a great-grand-daughter, Harley. In her final years the family was joined by Susannah’s husband, Michael Greenough, and together they would go on antiquing trips, discover new restaurants, and have wonderful big laughs together.

Karen survived many serious health issues over the years, enduring them all with strength and grace. On March 25, 2025, her heart gave out and she passed away quickly and peacefully at 90 years old.

Karen is survived by Susannah, Mike, her beloved King Charles Spaniel, Lucy, and grand-dog, Agatha, as well as by Colin, Ian, John, Kate, Suesan, Harley, her life-long friends Tia and Olivia Ramirez, and her step-daughter Betsy Carson de Avila, along with her husband, Guillermo Avila Paz and their daughter Maggie Avila. We all loved Karen for her elegance, generosity, sensitivity, wit, strength of spirit, and lovely way of being in the world. She will be dearly missed.

All friends are invited to a memorial service on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 11:00 at Tulocay Chapel, with a reception to follow. With her great love of animals, Karen would have appreciated that any donations be offered to the Napa Human Society in her name.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Karen Kirk Carson, please visit our floral store.