Karyn Packard, Hospice of the Foothills

Host Lori Burkart Frank brings us the story of Karyn Packard, Board President of Hospice of the Foothills. Following her career as a hospital chaplain, she and her husband sailed their sailboat all around the world for two and a half years, and sold it in New Zealand before settling in Lake Wildwood. Born in southern California, she changed schools often and was positively impacted by wonderful teachers who helped her through the travails and insecurities of always joining new schools and classrooms. She sang in churches starting at a young age, and her family helped her learn to work hard without complaint. At age 15, she became her father’s co-driver in unlimited class racing boats. Karyn met her husband and opera singing partner in Hawaii, and returned to California where he was treated for what became a fatal illness. She studied medicine and theology and became an ordained pastor in 1990, and continued on to become a clinical pastoral supervisor in a hospital in Long Beach. She was instrumental in developing a document and processes for easing end-of-life concerns for patients, family members and medical professionals. She retired in 2011, and after her sailing adventure, found her way to Nevada County and was led by her interests to take on the position as President of Hospice of the Foothills.