Karen

Upon reading some of the other reviews I was surprised to see that this book is/was considered a book for younger readers. I have a 2 1/2 year old son who has cerebral palsy (the same type as Karen, but not as involved) and this book was given to me by a friend. I found it fascinating--both the way that Karen's parents learned to work with her and the things that Karen accomplished. Given the historical timeframe, I was not bothered by the fact that they smoked as some other people were. Having gone down this road myself, I cannot imagine what these people went through with virtually no resources, help or information available to them. Marie's story is so real to me and both heartbreaking and inspirational at the same time. I would recommend this book to people to help them to understand what my parenting experience has been like (on a different scale of course--I'm not starting from scratch). A great book!

There is an online group of Killilea family fans who has done some searching on what happened to this amazing family...Marie (author) suffered from lung cancer and had a lung removed in the eary 1970s. Miraculously, she survived for 22 more years and died in 1991 at age 78 of respiratory ailments.She was survived by her husband, Jimmy; unfortunately, he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and died two years later in a nursing home in Connecticut.Gloria Lea passed away in Nov. 21 and was survived by her husband, Russ, and two sons. Russ passed away just three months later. Their daughters, Mary and Evelyn, were tragically killed in a housefire in the late 1960s at the ages of 7 and 9.Marie's married name is now Irish, and she lives in Connecticut. Apparently, she visits Larchmont periodically.Karen lives in Westchester County and works for a retreat center for priests.Rory Killilea was last living in the Seattle area.Kristin Killilea Viltz was last listed as living in Tarrytown, NY.

I too, like the other reviewers read this book and With Love from Karen as a child thirty years ago. I have since reread it countless times and it never fails to inspire and move me. I cannot wait for my children to be old enough to read it as well. Isn't it such a moving tribute to the Killilea family that so many people so many years from its first publication are still so touched by this story. Wouldn't it be great for the family to be able to continue this chapter for us. I truly hope that they are happy and healthy. I just wish I knew what happened to them. I contacted United Cerebal Palsy and no one has heard of Marie or Karen which I think is a disgrace since they blazed the trail for education and support for so many families.

I first read Marie's children's book, "Wren", while in about second grade. I started reading "Karen" and "With Love From Karen" when I was about 10. Now I've read each of them at least 6 times! The books influenced my life in many little ways, and in some big ones, too. With little or no religion in my childhood, I found the references to their strong Catholic faith somewhat mysterious--but it taught me some Latin! Now I am a Catholic, imagine that. I much enjoyed the passages about Karen and the Newfoundland dogs, our family is on our second Newfy. Additionally, I learned about courage, faith and determination, and the lessons remain with me today.A note about the family, one of my Newfy contacts mentioned meeting Karen at a dog show a few years back, and that she was in good health. She no longer had Newfies, but another smaller breed (can't remember what). Both of fher parents are deceased, but no mention there of a divorce. Also, I hear that Karen works at a religious retreat not far from Sursum Corda, the family home on Long Island, I believe it was. She is a very private person, understandably. I hope she knows how many people read or heard her story and were inspired by it!!

There are hardly words to express how much the book -Karen- and -With Love From Karen- has touched and affected my life. I too, was surprised to see how many other people were affected by these books, since I never came across anyone who had read the books. I never could understand why more people didn't know about them. Marie wrote with such talent and brought the reader into the family and made you feel a part of it. You couldn't help but be touched by the family, faith and relationships within these books. What an amazing family. I just read a review that Jimmy and Marie were divorced...It really took me a back and saddened me very much. They held together through so much heartache, joy, family and triumphs, what could have been the situation that came between them. I too, would love to know more of what has happened to the rest of the family. Little Marie, Karen, Rory, Gloria and Kristen and their families. Also in one of the reviews it was mentioned that they thought in the book -With Love from Karen- that the younger Marie's experiences were glossed over, and yet Gloria's was described in such detail...that has always puzzled me too. If anyone has more info on this family please, please email me. It would be much appreciated!