Karen Apel Rand

On April 8th, Karen Apel Rand passed away after a brief illness. Born on February 13, 1942, Karen was the daughter of Helen Swain Apel and Bernard Apel. She graduated from Old Saybrook High School with the Class of 1960 and spent her entire life on the shoreline. After high school, she married her husband of 55 years, Michael I. Rand. Together they spent their lives raising two children and four grandchildren. Karen was a kind, gentle, generous, loving soul who will live on eternally in the hearts of those who had the honor of being a part of her life. “Gooma” as her grandchildren referred to her as, was an ever present source of support and nurturance to her family. She dedicated her life to raising and caring for her two children Elizabeth Rand Bowker and Michael I. Rand, II, and her four grandchildren Nicole and Natalie Kirkman, and Michael and Eli Bowker. Karen’s maternal love was also shared with her nieces, Andrea Apel Marland, and Wendy Apel Malo. Karen was predeceased by both her parents, her brother Andrew Apel, niece Wendy Apel Malo, and her deeply cherished son Michael I. Rand. Along with her family Karen also appreciated her dear friends with whom she shared the joy of watching her grandchildren grow. Karen enjoyed this past season attending shows at the Ivoryton Playhouse with her daughter and granddaughter. One of her favorite pastimes was cheering on her UCONN girls basketball team.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday April 29th at 2pm at Riverside Cemetery, Sheffield St., Old Saybrook. Her family would like to thank her friends for their support and kind wishes.