Karen A. Andruschat, RN, long-time member and friend of the Network in Aging passed away on March 6, 2013.

With an infectious smile and stories to tell, Karen A. Andruschat cared for people in need no matter what her job was.  A registered nurse, she cared for the elderly in an East Aurora nursing home and later ran a People Inc. group home for disabled people on Grand Island. She was more widely known for her leadership at the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, where she retired as director of clinical marketing in 2005.

Donald Schumacher, president and chief executive of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in Alexandria, VA said … “Karen had the kind of personality she could get along with just about anybody. Karen was known to talk to groups as small as five and as large as 500 to educate doctors and the public about Hospice. She succeeded in talking to families without frightening them about a Hospice referral and she was an incredibly good teacher and a strong advocate for patients and families.”

Born Karen A. Rabe in South Buffalo, she graduated from South Park Hight School and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing.  Karen’s role at the Network in Aging included Communication Committee chair and serving on the board of directors.