Karin Parker Kaplan

Karin grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia and graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall prep school. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University where she developed a passion for English literature and art history. It is also where she met her husband, Charles Glenn Kaplan. The two were married in 1990.

Karin returned to graduate school at George Mason University where she received her Master of Education degree and went on to become a high school English teacher. Karin and Charlie lived in Charlottesville, Dallas, and Tampa, Florida before returning to Northern Virginia in 2000. During this time, they had four wonderful children, Kentyn, Charles Jr. (Cody), Erichsen (Parker), and Nicholas.

Karin was a devoted mother to all of her children and her family, giving generously of her time and energy to her kids’ school and social activities. She inspired them to love theater, art, film and travel the way she did and was never happier than she was when she was with them all. Karin was also the family historian and was unmatched in her ability to remember names, relationships, stories, and dates for her large, extended family.

Karin developed breast cancer in 2008, but with her unwavering resolve, battled through it successfully. She subsequently took on further health challenges, but with a warrior spirit that only became stronger as the challenges became more difficult. She gave her family and friends the gift of peace of mind by seldom revealing how hard she fought. Instead, she helped many find inspiration to work through their own travails.

Karin is survived by her husband (Charles) and her four children, Kentyn, Cody, Parker, and Nicholas. She is also survived by her mother (Tove Power), sister (Elizabeth Parker), father and step-mother (Troost and Kathy Parker), and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles who meant everything in the world to her.

There will be a virtual Memorial Celebration on Saturday January 2, 2021 at 11am ET. Family and friends are welcome to register to attend here.

Her family wants to give a special thanks to her doctors and nurses that gave her help and hope over the years, especially the staff at Virginia Hospital Center who made it possible for her husband and children to be at her side when she passed away.

Karin loved arts and theater, especially the Arena Stage. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a charitable contribution in her name. She would like nothing more.