by Samantha Libraty
Senior Karen Douglas, whose enthusiasm for cross-stitching and needlepoint made her known around the school, was found dead Saturday in Natick. She was 18. Students remember her as a person full of life and passionate about her love for art.
A moment of silence was observed during A-block in all classes as students and teachers were welcomed to remember her.
Members of the Old Grannies Club, the club Douglas founded, will meet during X-block today.
An outpouring of love and support for Douglas and her family has been seen throughout social media. Since her disappearance on Thursday afternoon, posters, posts on the Internet, and segments in the media spread throughout New England.
The search began after Douglas left her car in the Shaw’s parking lot with the keys in the ignition. Douglas was later found in a wooded area in Natick, where she used to live. Police have not identified her death as suspicious.
Douglas’s sister, Sonya Douglas ’12, reaching out to the community on Reddit, wrote, “I want to thank those who shared Karen’s picture, those who tweeted her information, those who personal messaged me and offered to help search. It means more than you will ever be able to comprehend.”
Karen Douglas was the founder of the Old Grannies Club at this school and a rower on the competitive girls’ team at Community Rowing, Inc. with girls from around the greater Boston area.
Students often saw Douglas in class or at lunch working on her needlepoint or knitting. She wrote for this school’s recent Club Day, “I started the club in May of last year, teaching a multitude of people how to cross stitch, as well as knit.” Others have followed her example by learning how to create new patterns and working on their projects.
Calling hours for Douglas will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park St., Natick. A funeral mass will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Patrick Parish, 44 East Central St., Natick.
The counseling department continues to be open to all students, faculty, and community members as a resource for support.