Karen Floyd

Karen was the beloved wife of Terry Floyd, doting mother to Harrison (Lucy Dinkins) and Hannah, and loving sister to Donald, twin Amy Stech (Tim), Carl (Cristita), John, Tess Bonham (Tim Wieder), Robert, Shirley Reynolds (Marty), Joann Henderson (Scott), Jim (Ann), and Julie (Ian Verschuren), loving grandmother of Harry Floyd and adored aunt of dozens of nieces and nephews and their children. She is predeceased by her parents, Rita and Donald Schlemmer, and sisters Marion Brady and Ellen Moglia.

She was born in 1952 and raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, alongside her 12 siblings. Karen attended Regina High School (class of 1970), then went on to earn her RN degree from Marquette University. After years of serving as an intensive-care nurse in the Cleveland Clinic and Rush Medical Center (Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital) in Chicago, she transitioned from caring for patients to advocating for them. It was in Chicago she met her loving husband of 43 years, Terry Floyd. In 1983, Karen and Terry moved to Columbia, SC, where they welcomed their two children and built a wonderful life together.

Karen was the embodiment of compassion and lived her life in the service of others. While she made a career of caring for patients as a nurse, she made a life of caring for all. She delighted in empowering others, as exemplified in her volunteer work as a school librarian, adult literacy tutor, and Red Cross activist.

Karen represented all that is beautiful in this world and taught others to appreciate the beauty in themselves and around them. She was known among her friends and family for her abundance of love and empathy. All who encountered her can attest to the light she radiated wherever she went. She was a firm believer in the human connection and giving back to the community as demonstrated by her activism alongside her fellow Tiffany Circle members who advance the American Red Cross mission through a focused investment of time, talent, and treasure.

An enthusiastic chef and daughter of an accomplished ceramics painter, Karen was also esteemed for her beautifully realized baking efforts, particularly the hand-painted foliage cookies she would normally be distributing to friends and loved ones this time of year.

Karen seized the opportunity to engage with genetic researchers in the study of gene mutations associated with ALS. She and members of her family coordinated with the Silence ALS initiative within Columbia University’s ALS Families projects to develop a drug to counteract the ALS-causing gene mutation that may be present in her extended family.

The family would like to extend its gratitude to the Medical University of South Carolina and the ALS Association for their support over the past few years. It would also like to say thank you to all who participated in the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge” over the years. Karen’s family has been a direct beneficiary of ALS research funded by this program.

A celebration of Karen’s life will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2024 at the Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC, from 5pm to 8pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Karen’s name to The American Red Cross, 2751 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or to the ALS Association (als.org).