Karen Anderson Cornelius

Karen Reine Cornelius, a devoted educator, avid traveler, and beloved mother, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, learning, and adventure. 

Born on July 13, 1938, in Koosharem, Utah, to Lecoy and Vaunda Anderson, Karen grew up in the nearby town of Richfield, Utah. Her childhood was spent in a bustling but loving home alongside her four siblings: Aleith, Shirl, Joyce, and Yvonne. 

While studying at Brigham Young University, Karen met Don E. Cornelius at a school dance. Karen loved to joke that she took an interest in Don because she could hear the jingle of coins in his pocket. They were married in the Logan LDS Temple on July 31, 1958. They shared a decades-long, globe-trotting, and loving life together until Don passed away in the early summer of 2022. 

After they wed, Don and Karen moved to the Washington DC area. Karen then earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Maryland. She channeled her passion for helping others into a meaningful career, serving her community first as a substitute teacher, and later as a dedicated ESOL teacher and supervisor for Adult Education in Fairfax County. 

Along with her husband, Don, Karen possessed an adventurous spirit. The two traveled the world for work and for pleasure throughout their long marriage. While living in Asia for several years, the two learned to speak Indonesian and, in later years, used it as a code language, much to the chagrin of their children. They spent many years abroad living in such diverse places as the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia, just to name a few. 

Karen cherished her family and cared deeply for them. She is survived by her devoted children, Sean and Anne Cornelius. Over the years, she was also a caring grandma to four grandpups, Tashi, Kora, Luna, and Olive. 

A Celebration of Life will be held in Karen's honor on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery in Reston from 4:00 to 6:00 pm (1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston, VA, 20190).  A burial service will follow on Saturday, June 20, 2026, in her hometown of Richfield, Utah, at 1:00 pm (780 N Main St, Richfield, UT 84701). For those who wish to send floral tributes, flowers may be sent to Magleby Mortuary in Richfield (50 South 100 West, Richfield, UT 84701). An online guestbook and live streaming of services can be found at www.maglebymortuary.com