Park City honors former clerk, daughter raises awareness about stroke symptoms
By Allyson Dix, Managing Editor / Barren County Progress
All photos submitted
When Karen Briggs came down with flu-like symptoms the day before New Year’s Eve in 2023, she nor her family had any idea that she had actually suffered from a cerebral stroke. She passed away on January 16 leaving a grief-stricken family and community who ultimately came together to honor Karen in early May.
Park City proclaimed May 5th as Karen Briggs day throughout the city, not only in memory of her but to encourage everyone to do something kind for someone else for no reason at all. Karen was the clerk for Park City at the time of her passing.
“That’s who mom was,” her daughter, Angela Briggs, said. It was the perfect way for those who knew Karen to simply do something kind for others.
A group of family and friends got together and completed small projects throughout Park City. Karen always enjoyed the spring and early summer seasons and always had a strong desire for lovely curb appeal, so the group kept their focus on that as one way to honor her memory.
“We did projects at the home of Kent and Terri Hood, the Evergreen Cemetery, Mammoth Cave Avenue in Park City, and the Welcome to Park City signs,” Angela said.
Karen, which the proclamation reflects in its language, gave grace to everyone she met and with a love for community, believed small towns like Park City could do big things.
“Karen W. Briggs believed if there was a need, we should be there to help, and that many hands make light work,” the proclamation reads.
A resolution was also read on the Senate floor at adjournment on February 27 in honor and loving memory of Karen.
The resolution highlights some of Karen’s life including how she helped community members who struggled with addictions, incarceration, food and housing insecurity, and marital issues, providing much-needed guidance, support, and kindness. Her life, in all areas, was motivated toward the selfless service of others.
Senator David Givens was set to introduce the resolution; and unfortunately, on that same day the resolution was to be read, Givens’ father passed away. Briggs said Senator Steve Meredith volunteered to introduce the resolution in place of Givens.
Angela shared details about Karen and how she was expected to be released from Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, shortly before an unexpected turn for the worse.
“The night before she was going to be sent to a rehab facility, she died,” Angela said.
Angela recounts the phone call she received from her sister Ashlee and was in complete disbelief of what she had just been told. The sisters were in the planning stages of Karen’s discharge when they got the call.
“After the stroke, there was no cognitive damage. She never had any signs of a stroke that we were aware of. She went from living 100% her to within three weeks, she was gone.”
Ultimately, Karen suffered from a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lungs, an unexpected issue stemming from the cerebral stroke over two weeks later.
Angela said she wants others to be aware of how a stroke can appear with flu-like symptoms.
“A stroke was the last thing from my mind, and I want others to be aware of this,” Angela said. “People need to know if you think it’s the flu, it may not be.” She said Karen’s symptoms were nausea, no fever but sweating, exhaustion, and fatigue.
It’s a strange feeling not having your mother and for it to be so sudden, Angela said, but it has built an even closer bond between her and her sister, Ashlee.
Karen’s memory will continue to live on and be forever etched upon the hearts she touched while she was here.
Karen W. Briggs was the daughter of the late James Howard and Ruth Laverne Ross Wright. She left behind a husband of 47 years, William Briggs; two daughters, Angela and Ashley; and many other loved ones including siblings and grandchildren.
