Celebrating Karen

Karen Lynn Derrickson, 60, died on April 4, 2023. Karen was born on July 2, 1962 in Summit, New Jersey and was the daughter of John Nicolson and Beverly Blomgren and grew up in the Atlanta, GA area.  From a young age Karen was a competitive gymnast.  In addition to winning multiple Georgia State Champion Junior Olympics championships, Karen was valedictorian of the Berkmar High School class of 1980.  Karen received a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1985 and she received an MBA from the University of Washington in 1996.

Karen and Ralph Derrickson began their adventure together in 1992.  After a short long-distance relationship they were engaged and moved to Seattle.  They were married on August 28th. They have lived in Seattle and Bainbridge Island for the last 30 years. Karen and Ralph have two daughters, Clara Haylee, born in 1996, and Elsa Rebecca, born in 1998. Karen was a devoted mother to her daughters and a regular volunteer at The Giddons School, The Island School and Hyla Middle School where she shared her passion for the environment, dance, and equality. Karen loved her family deeply. Whether she was walking with Ralph, doing crafts with Elsa, or discussing politics with Haylee, Karen was the thunderbolt of the family.

Karen was happiest when she was outdoors.  She led countless hikes with family and friends in the Olympic and Cascade Mountain Ranges. She and Ralph built a cabin near the Elwha River entrance to the Olympic National Park where for the last 20 years they hosted their friends and families for weekends of hiking, crafting, celebrating holidays, enjoying the natural beauty of the pacific northwest, and sharing their lives.  Karen cherished long walks, playing games, late night conversations with friends, and holidays at the cabin. Her spirit will remain there. Karen was a devoted mother, wife, and friend, and she will be deeply missed forever.

Karen is preceded in death by her father, John Nicolson, and her brother Johnny.  She is survived by her husband Ralph, daughter Haylee (Dublin, Ireland), daughter Elsa (Seattle), mother Beverly, and sisters Carol and Susan. She leaves behind many dear friends on Bainbridge Island, in Seattle, New York, Atlanta, and Florida.