On September 14, 2019, many bid farewell to our dear friend, Karen Hudson
“Tomorrow is the day I die,“ Karen casually mentioned to a visiting friend. No sadness. No remorse. It was just a fact. The following afternoon, Saturday, August 17, 2019, she was relieved of her battle with Ovarian cancer to join other earth angels in heaven. She passed quickly with no pain, suffering, or struggle.
News of her passing has rendered nearly 100 Facebook responses and shared numerous times. Karen Hudson was a person of intelligence, kindness, and always available to lend a helping hand. Upon entering a room, “What can I do to help?” were usually the first words out of her mouth.
Karen as a Toastmaster
I met Karen as a Toastmaster in 2001. I was the head of marketing for District 52, then called “Lt. Governor of Marketing” (now named “Club Growth Director.”) I received word that someone was chartering a Toastmaster club. As a person responsible for building new clubs, news like that is manna from heaven. So, I attended the chartering ceremony for her club called “Mindful Communicators.” A club that has been one of the successful clubs, thanks to Karen’s attention and dedication to its members, every year since it chartered.
When I became the District Governor (now named “District Director”) in 2003, she volunteered to serve as one of my Area Governors (now called Area Directors). She proved to be an excellent leader. Karen also became a wonderful confidant when I faced severe challenges half-way through my term. I benefitted hugely from her as a team member. Many, if not hundreds, of Toastmasters, have benefitted from Karen’s integrity and giving heart.
We benefitted not only by Karen’s constant presence at nearly every Toastmaster event but as a person who provided, sometimes uninvited, comments about how we dress.
Karen’s article titled, “Who am I now? You are what you wear” was published in the Toastmaster International Magazine. You can download and read it on page 24 of this 2008 Toastmaster Magazine.
Karen as a Hollywood Costumer
Karen Hudson was a twenty-five-year veteran of the Hollywood Film and Television Industry where she worked as a costumer. She developed many on-screen characters and considered herself to be a Social-Psychologist.
She worked with celebrities, including Julie Andrews, Dennis Franz, Matt Le Blanc, Kaley Cuoco, Ed Asner, Dolly Parton, and Betty White. Karen’s claim to fame is that her name appears on the pilot and every episode of Hill Street Blues. Here is a newspaper article about Karen as the costumer for Hill Street Blues.
One of my favorite stories is when Karen approached the newly successful Craig Duswalt after a seminar he delivered. She commented that a shiny decoration hanging down from his belt kept drawing her attention to his crotch. Later that year at another event, Craig interrupted a conversation with some high-powered individuals to acknowledge Karen and ask, “How does my crotch look?” His sentiment on her greeting card read, “… and whenever I dress for the stage, I think of you.”
While preparing to deliver an important keynote presentation, Karen made sure I dressed appropriately for the stage and the high definition cameras.
Karen as an Educator
For twenty years, Karen has conducted resume preparation and interviewing technique seminars in the film industry, at the university level, and in business. Her interview techniques have been heard by job seekers of all ages who work in a broad range of professions.
Here is a short video of Karen talking about dressing from a Toastmaster meeting where she was invited to provide guidance about dressing for the stage at the conclusion of each meeting.
Karen as an Author
Karen Hudson is a contributing author in several books. A wonderful storyteller with rich content to share, her chapters shine in several books published by the Golden Pen writers group that met in Santa Clarita, California.
Toastmasters International approached Karen to write a book about dressing for high-definition cameras after an appalling situation that needed serious attention. At an International Convention, with a worldwide audience, the undergarments women and men showed through their clothing. A new phenomenon due to the advent of high-definition cameras. Karen obliged and published her book titled “Dressed to Speak.”
Karen was also a poet. Listen to this poem she wrote titled “I Was Raised With the Wind” read at her celebration of life service.
Karen with Cancer
In 2017 Karen was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer. You would never have known she was undergoing treatment as she did not, for one day, let that keep her from being the helping socialite that she was. I, having survived breast cancer, could not believe how active she was despite undergoing surgeries and chemotherapy. One woman shared that she no longer fears dying after witnessing Karen handle her fate with such courage, grace, and dignity.
About mid-way during Karen’s cancer journey, she shared that she missed cuddling with her partner, Dick, who had passed two years earlier. I initiated a campaign to deliver to Karen, a huge teddy bear she could cuddle. The campaign was so successful that she received a debit card about as big as the bear. With her blessings, I wrote an article with an accompanying video of her receiving the bear.
Amazing Karen
Karen is admired not only for her presence and contributions to the well being of individuals and events but overcoming a physical challenge – dyslexia. She rose from poor farms in Kansas to the red carpets of Hollywood as a costumer.
In 2001 I hosted a radio show for 18 months. Karen was one of my guests. Here is the transcription of her visit on the show. A picture video of the program is on YouTube. It is so sweet to hear her voice and her story.
We all celebrated Karen’s life on September 14. Nearly every person that got up to speak at the chapel and during the reception spoke of how Karen helped them overcome challenges and adversity. One person read an unsigned letter found in her storage unit, which pretty much sums up the essence of Karen. You can read it here.
We love you, Karen. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
