Scott Starkey (1985)

I came home this morning from running an errand to find Lee ('nee Gagnon Class of '85) crying. After a bit of cajoling, she told me the news about a High School class mate who had passed. While I was never really close to her in High School or adult life, I have always held her in the highest regard. Karyn Piver Goodmanwas one of those few people with such a pure and giving heart. She always lit the room up with a kind and sincere smile. She was always willing to lend an empathetic ear. In recent years, I was fortunate enough to attend two different High School reunions with her. While I knew she had been battling cancer, you could barely tell in looking at her eyes and her brilliant smile. Still, she was always more interested in how others were doing. Always so happy to hear of others life triumphs and supportive to hear of others life disappointments.

While I really didn't know her that well, having spent a couple classes in High School together and having attended a couple High School reunions in the last few years, I did know she had a pure and kind heart - a rarity on this planet. News of her passing has really struck me. Luckily, I'm off today and have been able to spend the day with my thoughts. I had started the day pretty well as far as accomplishing tasks I had set before myself. After coming home and hearing the news, I spent a couple of hours in the back yard watching the birds and squirrels feeding while listening to the leaves and chimes blow gently in the wind. I always find myself closest to God when I'm around nature. While I know God has made a place ready for her, I question why genuinely good people can be taken so young yet so many wretched remain to wreak their wickedness upon the weak. I also know this is the classic question that can cause one to question their belief system in their deity. While it doesn't bring me to the point of questioning my belief in God, it does make me question 'Why?'.

I'll never forget seeing her and meeting her husband at the Las Vegas Reunion. From my short time in conversing with Mike, I learned that he was a kindred spirit to Karyn. It's such a joy to meet a couple who both have such loving and kind hearts!! Who truly light each other and their surroundings up wherever they go! My heart aches deeply for your loss, Mike!! I know you really don't know me, as I really didn't know Karyn that well. But believe me when I tell you that she really has impacted people in a uniquely wonderful way throughout her journey through life. I know you're undoubtedly in direct communication with those from SAHS that were and have remained closest to Karyn. But as a representative of those who knew her but a little, she meant a LOT to us as well!!

May peace be with you, Mike, and your children as Karyn arrives at the place that I know the Lord has set aside for her.

-Scott Starkey, SAHS '85 (posted on FB: http://tinyurl.com/kb78jo9)