San Francisco

Karen Anne Hagewood passed away on September 29, 2024, at the age of 78.

She was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

A native of Northern California, Karen was raised in Santa Clara where she attended Buchser High School. After graduating from the University of California at Santa Barbara, Karen’s desire to see the world and help others lead her to join the Peace Corps where she made life-long friends. During this time, she developed a deep affection for Turkey and its people. Karen went on to earn her law degree from Rutgers University. She returned to California, making her home in San Francisco.

During her law career, Karen worked for several tech companies as General Counsel, Vice President and Consultant.

In retirement, Karen spent her time traveling, visiting family and friends, learning to paint and volunteering in her community.

An avid supporter of the arts, Karen had a lifelong love of the city of San Francisco. Karen was an extraordinary woman with an independent spirit and an open heart. She was a source of optimism and love to all who knew her.

Karen was notoriously generous with her time and attention to both family and friends. She had a young-at-heart quality, always striving to connect with her “kids.”

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Darlene Hagewood, her sister, Pamela Varga and her brother, Charles Hagewood Jr.

Karen is survived by numerous close friends as well as her uncle, Richard Miller (Martha), nephew Brett Varga (Kristen) and their daughters Gwen and Sawyer, her niece Kari Losh (Stan) and their children Finley and Sullivan, and her niece, Sherri Robertson (Clay) and their children Ryan, Tate and Sophie.

A celebration of Karen’s life is being planned to take place in the coming months for family and friends near and far.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations be made to World Central Kitchen and UNICEF.