It
is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we announce the passing of
one of our AEC family. Karen Brennan, NREMT-P and AEC Program
Coordinator, died late Thursday (1/28/2010) morning after a courageous
fight against cancer.
After
successfully earning her NREMT-P, Karen joined AEC as an instructor. It
wasn’t long before she rose to become one of our Program Coordinators.
Her interaction with students and instructors alike made her stand out
from all the rest.
Karen
was a wonderful person, a great instructor, and an excellent friend to
us all. She lifted our spirits with her smile and warmed our hearts
with her compassion. We are better for having known her and will sorely
miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
God bless you, Karen. With love, - Associates in Emergency Care
Obituary from The Free-Lance Star
Karen
Marie "Kiki" Brennan, 44, of Fredericksburg died Thursday, Jan. 28,
2010, at Mary Washington Hospital after a courageous battle with colon
cancer.
Karen was a native of Fredericksburg and a member of Fredericksburg Baptist Church.
She
was a 1983 graduate of James Monroe High School and a 1987 graduate of
Mary Washington College. Karen was a member of the Maranatha Touring
Choir for eight years.
She was also a member of the
Fredericksburg Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the Spotsylvania
Volunteer Fire Department Company 1 Ladies Auxiliary. She was a
paramedic and a life member of the Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad,
a current member and past president of the Ladies Auxiliary to the
Virginia State Firefighter's Association, and a member of the
Cumberland Valley Volunteer Fireman's Association. Karen also served as
a paramedic instructor for Associates in Emergency Care, and she was a
certified Firefighter 1. She worked for Computer Science Corp. in
Dahlgren for the past 14 years.
Survivors include her parents,
J. Allen and Sharon H. Brennan of Fredericksburg; her sister, Elizabeth
B. Garnett and her husband, Stephen, of Fredericksburg; one nephew,
Joseph Allen Garnett; one niece, Sarah Elizabeth Garnett; her aunts,
Audrey Haynes of Fredericksburg and Leathie Hudson of Stafford County;
two great-aunts, Mary Klocker of Eulysses, Pa., and Loretta Romanic of
Hazleton, Pa.; as well as numerous cousins.
Comments from those she touched at AEC
My
heart goes out to Karen's family, especially her parents and sister who
I had the honor of meeting just yesterday. Karen was a phenomenal
instructor and friend and I am more blessed in my life to have known
her. My prayers and love go out to you.
Shaun Marini Jan 28, 2010 MD
--
We
all loved Karen so much and we will all miss her. She was such a
wonderful friend and was always willing to help others. I will always
remember her beaming smile and that infectious laugh. Her positive
attitude was contagious-when she smiled, you smiled. She will live
forever in our hearts and we will never forget her. God bless her sweet
soul. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends. Rest
in peace, Karen.
Khary and Sabrina Stringer Jan 28, 2010 Fredericksburg, VA
--
As
one of her students, Karen helped teach me and my classmates how to
save the lives of others. So many people's lives are spared because
Karen Brennan lived. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Peter Gardella Jan 29, 2010 Harrisonburg, VA
--
Our
prayers and thoughts are with you during this time....we at Associates
in Emergency Care all feel the loss of Karen's passing. Karen's love of
teaching and her dedication to serving others will however long be
remembered. We would be with you in person, but God has us on the other
side of the world for now. Please know we are with you in spirit and
prayer.
May the Lord give you comfort and peace.
Sal and Renee Marini Jan 29, 2010 Zambia, Africa
--
Karen
was one of the best and I will really miss her. She taught me so much
and always found time to help others.She was one of the best
instructors I've ever had and an awesome medic. God bless you, Karen.
Sabrina Hipkins Jan 29, 2010 King George, VA
--
I want
to offer my condolences to Karen's family and to let them know they
will be in my thoughts and prayers. I will always remember Karen as
both a great teacher and an even better coworker with AEC. I always
knew that if I needed her help she would be there for me. Whether it
was giving me advice on how to become a better instructor or being a
personal reference to a possible employer she was there for me. I hope
Karen's family finds peace during these hard times.
Chris Saykaly Jan 29, 2010 Remington, VA
--
Dear Brennan Family, I
am so sorry for your loss. Karen touched so many lives through her
kindness, smile, and work in the EMS community. Through her work, lives
have been saved and EMS providers were able to further their education.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Tricia Derr Jan 31, 2010 Stafford, VA
"Those we love don't go away, They walk beside us every day, Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed & very dear."