Donation protected
Karen Brav was ecstatic. She had just closed on her new home on Varenna Dr in mid February 2015 and was finally able to call Sarasota her permanent home. After spending several months renting in two different condos on Siesta Key, she had made the decision to purchase a new home in Esplanade to be near her beloved Siesta Key Beach and yet, be part of a community of like-minded neighbors. She could be in her own space, but not alone. So, after 30 years in Herndon, Virginia, and having retired from her job as Development Director at the American Cancer Society , she sold her house and moved down to Florida. She just loved the view from her lanai: the water, the birds, the foliage, the sky. Binoculars at the ready, she scanned for the roseate spoonbill, the wood stork and the Ibis. And she simply loved to sit out there and listen to the night creatures, non-human, of course! She often said
that it gave her great joy and a sense of peace as she sat out there. This was her dream and she had achieved it.
Her collection of seashells gathered from Siesta Key Beach stood in the corner of her living room in a large glass vase. Sunsets at the beach were her special joy. And so were the dogs of Esplanade. She loved every one of them and they knew it. They came when she called. They let her pet them and they barked a welcome when they saw her. She accompanied them to the Bark Park where she happily tossed them balls and ran with them. One day, she said, when she was settled, she would have one, too. A very private person, Karen joined in some of the Flamingo Friday soirees and attended the opening of the Amenity Center. She said that she was often ill at ease at big parties, but completely in her element when she was mining a room full of well heeled guests and garnering contributions for the American Cancer Society! She loved that challenge and was proud of her successes. Those days now in the past, she looked forward to new experiences at Esplanade with new friends, as well as sharing her new life with several old and dear friends that live in this area. Sadly, Karen was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in mid-May. There was no warning, except for a couple of weeks prior when she was not feeling well and knew something was wrong. She was remarkable in managing this terrible news. She faced this battle with courage and strength. It was “a real kick in the pants” she said one
evening while on her lanai looking out at the peaceful waters behind her home. She remained grateful for every day that she was able to sit on her beloved lanai and look out. Karen Brav passed away on Monday, July 6, 2015. She left us better people, better neighbors, better friends. She left us the gift of knowing her. We are forever grateful.
In memory of Karen we will be putting up a permanant awning at the Dog Park at Esplanade.
that it gave her great joy and a sense of peace as she sat out there. This was her dream and she had achieved it.
Her collection of seashells gathered from Siesta Key Beach stood in the corner of her living room in a large glass vase. Sunsets at the beach were her special joy. And so were the dogs of Esplanade. She loved every one of them and they knew it. They came when she called. They let her pet them and they barked a welcome when they saw her. She accompanied them to the Bark Park where she happily tossed them balls and ran with them. One day, she said, when she was settled, she would have one, too. A very private person, Karen joined in some of the Flamingo Friday soirees and attended the opening of the Amenity Center. She said that she was often ill at ease at big parties, but completely in her element when she was mining a room full of well heeled guests and garnering contributions for the American Cancer Society! She loved that challenge and was proud of her successes. Those days now in the past, she looked forward to new experiences at Esplanade with new friends, as well as sharing her new life with several old and dear friends that live in this area. Sadly, Karen was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in mid-May. There was no warning, except for a couple of weeks prior when she was not feeling well and knew something was wrong. She was remarkable in managing this terrible news. She faced this battle with courage and strength. It was “a real kick in the pants” she said one
evening while on her lanai looking out at the peaceful waters behind her home. She remained grateful for every day that she was able to sit on her beloved lanai and look out. Karen Brav passed away on Monday, July 6, 2015. She left us better people, better neighbors, better friends. She left us the gift of knowing her. We are forever grateful.
In memory of Karen we will be putting up a permanant awning at the Dog Park at Esplanade.
Organizer
Shauna Shafer
Organizer
Summersville, WV