Karen A. Grip Obituary
Karen Avis Grip, 68, beloved wife of James Michael Cox, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at their home in Rockport.
As a daughter in a U.S. State Department family, Karen had unusual experiences in countries across the world. Early memories were of the family's evacuation of the US Embassy during the 1958 Iraqi military coup that deposed King Faisal. Next was attending school in Oslo, Norway, one of her most cherished memories. Then on to the family's assignment in Paris. She attended school there until President de Gaulle pulled France out of NATO in 1966 and NATO operations relocated to Brussels. And final family assignments in Washington, DC and Geneva, Switzerland.
Karen received her undergraduate degree in International Affairs at the American University. She received a Masters from Columbia University also in International Affairs. Karen worked at the US Navy Secretariat at the Pentagon in public affairs.
While Karen and Jim were married for 39 years, they met while she tutored Jim in math at the Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, Maryland, 52 years ago. She and Jim were married in 1984 and soon moved to Rockport. Assignments in Vermont and Montreal drew them away, but Karen and Jim always found their way back to Cape Ann. Karen loved history, especially that of New England. Karen was an accomplished needle-worker as well.
In addition to her husband Jim, Karen leaves behind her sister N. Linda Goldstein and husband Larry of Chevy Chase, Maryland, as well as 13 nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Carl John Grip and Helen Jean (Winfrey) Grip.
Visiting hour will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from 10-11a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 4 High Street, Rockport, followed by a service at 11a.m. Burial in Beech Grove Cemetery.
