It is with much sadness, the Nettemeyer family announces the unexpected passing of Karen Marie Nettemeyer, 62, in Newport News, Virginia, on August 29, 2024.
Born in St Louis, Missouri, to Conrad and Evelyn Nettemeyer, Karen was raised in Roanoke, Virginia where she graduated from Roanoke Catholic High School in 1980. She earned her undergraduate degree from Longwood University in 1984 and received her master’s degree in speech pathology from James Madison University in 1986. Karen possessed a diligent yet compassionate demeanor that carried over into the next phase of her journey.
Referred to as “Nutty-Buddy” and “Special-K” by her co-workers and friends, Karen worked as a Speech Pathologist for Newport News Public Schools where she retired after 34 years and 4 months. (Karen was always precise about her dates which was a topic of amusement amongst her friends). Additionally, she worked as a Speech Pathologist at Dominion Physical Therapy in Newport News, VA for 27 years. She developed many lifelong friendships and was beloved by her coworkers, students and patients, as they continuously expressed her passion for helping children and their families improve their day-to-day lives.
Karen deeply loved her family and especially relished time spent with her nieces and nephews. She also cherished her cats, particularly Bandit, who was her baby. Karen enjoyed the holiday seasons, decorating her home and celebrating with her friends.
Karen is preceded in death by her father, her “Poopie,” Conrad Nettemeyer, who passed in 2010.
She is survived by her mother, Evelyn Nettemeyer; brothers, Steve Nettemeyer (Sarah), Richard Nettemeyer and Tony Nettemeyer (Bernadette); nieces and nephews: Jessica Saunders (Joe), Chris Nettemeyer (Kalyn), Nicolas Nettemeyer, Natalie Nettemeyer, and Elizabeth Troy; and great nieces and nephews, Claire and Wyatt Saunders and Quinn and Miller Nettemeyer.
A Funeral Mass will be held in Karen’s memory at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Our Lady of Nazareth Catholic Church in Roanoke, Virginia. This will be live streamed here.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your charity of choice in memory of Karen and/or extend an act of kindness in her memory.
For Karen’s friends and colleagues in Newport News, Virginia, a “Celebration of Life” will be forthcoming. Assisting in this coordination will be her dear friend, Barbara Tucci.