Karen Bennett is a dual US/British citizen with an international background, having lived in the US, Japan, Scotland, Ireland, and England.  Having a serious case of wanderlust from a young age, she has travelled and explored destinations all over the globe- collecting deep, meaningful memories and adventures along the way. By immersing herself in indigenous cultures, and learning about beliefs, rituals, and religions; beautiful synchronicities and spiritual experiences followed.

     Karen owned and operated her own Ltd company in the UK, doing business with top London department stores such as Fortnum and Mason, boutique hotels, international retail, and wholesale operations. Publications such as UK Vogue, The Daily Telegraph, Interior Designs, Country Living, as well as ITV and BBC TV, highlighted her company and products. She exhibited her line of products at London trade shows amassing UK and international clients.

     She then changed career paths and studied holistic natural healing practices and complementary therapies working alongside conventional medicine -homeopathy, nutrition, acupressure, Reiki, reflexology, yoga, Indian Head Massage, and hypnosis. Working with clients from the greater London area, she focused on mind/body/spirit wellness. Parents with small children also worked with Karen to learn meditation practices.

     Wanting to give back, Karen became involved in several UK-registered charities abroad and sponsored a school to help combat poverty through education. Fundraising brought her in contact with the biggest celebrities in film, TV, music, fashion, literature, and sports, who donated items to be auctioned off/ made contributions to her school and the orphanage charities she supported. These included - Robin Williams, Dame Judi Dench, Emma Thompson, Twiggy, George Michael, Elton John, Ricky Gervais, Sir Richard Branson, Joanna Lumley, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Sarah Ferguson - former Duchess of York, Ewan McGregor, Jose Carreras, Michael Palin of Monty Python, Kylie Minogue, Sir Chris Bonington, Dame Anita Roddick - to name a few.  British actor Jeremy Irons (who has won an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy, Tony and SAG awards) graciously attended her fundraising event raising money for Karen's school in the Himalayas. He regaled the crowd with his fascinating stories of travelling to Nepal.

    Between work and family commitments, visits followed to Nepal, Sri Lanka and India to visit projects she sponsored- the schools, orphanages, and homes that rescued abandoned and trafficked street children. This travel became even more engaging when her children accompanied her. (Changing their lives as well). Her adult son recently travelled to Nepal to volunteer in the same orphanage that Karen and her daughter had spent time at.

   One particular trip to Kathmandu, Nepal, profoundly affected Karen's life trajectory. Visiting Mother Teresa's Home for the Aged and Dying, Karen had her first exposure to hospice care and her true calling became evident. Moving back to the US shortly after that experience (after nearly three decades in the UK), she volunteered in a hospice as a caregiver for several years. then looked after and cared for dying family members. These events eventually prepared her to become the caregiver to the love of her life, her husband and soul mate, seeing him through a long illness, home hospice and his peaceful passing. 

   Karen was inspired to become a certified End-of-Life/Death Doula to assist the actively dying and support their caregivers. In addition to her experiences and doula studies, she has undergone grief support certification and celebrant training for funerals and memorial services. She has gained knowledge about dementia/cognitive impairments and many medical conditions from the patients she has interacted with. Karen teaches workshops and is a motivational public speaker on the positive death movement. One that teaches that honest conversations about death and dying are not morbid or taboo. They are beneficial and necessary for education purposes and to remove fears. By preparing to die and recognizing we have a finite time on earth, we are inspired to live lives full of purpose and meaning NOW.

    In 2022, Karen was the subject of a UK radio documentary by a graduate student at Goldsmiths, University of London. The documentary was nominated and entered into the prestigious Charles Parker Prize for the best audio feature. It covered Karen's experiences with the dying, navigating life as a widow and being inspired to live a life that honors both herself - and her late husband. 

   Karen is a mother of two adult children (living on each side of the Atlantic) and a grandmother. She is a member/friend of Mt. Hope Cemetery in Rochester, NY, and has a deep love and appreciation of Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris and Highgate Cemetery in London. (Think historical figures, unique epitaphs, unique sculptures, and peaceful strolls in nature honoring those who went before us.)

 

  She spends her spare time supporting her late husband's sports teams, is a writer, and enjoys hiking and travelling. Constantly learning and evolving with Thanatology studies, she speaks with others about life, death, grief and finding everyday joy in our lives - to honor loved ones those who have passed.

Images below:  Karen with Sadhu at Pashupatinath Hindu Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal

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