Karen Rison Voglewede, 74, transitioned to heaven peacefully from her home in Surry, VA, on Friday, April 10, 2026. Born in Hampton, VA, Karen was a longtime resident of Foxhill and a lifelong resident of the Hampton Roads area.
Karen’s home away from home was in Salvo, NC, where she treasured sunsets, beach drives, and seashell hunting with her husband, Carl Voglewede. In retirement, Karen and Carl spent as much time as possible at the cottage, a place that brought her great joy and peace.
Karen was a Registered Nurse and retired from Sentara after 40 years of dedicated service. She began her career in the nursery caring for newborns, later rose to manage women’s health across multiple hospitals, and in the years before retirement returned to the place she loved most – the nursery.
Family was the center of Karen’s life. Raised with five sisters and blessed with a large extended family through marriage, she shared deep bonds that made family not only her greatest joy, but also her closest friends. She loved gathering with family for holidays, birthdays, and vacations, creating memories that will be treasured forever. An amazing cook and thoughtful event planner, Karen was especially known for her barbecue and crab cakes – like no other.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Jean and Andy Greenwell. Surviving are her husband of 55 years, Carl Voglewede; her daughters and their spouses, Barbara Baise (Karl Schmidt) and Brenda Blackwell (Talmadge); her grandchildren, Reanne Baise, Skyler Baise, Victoria Blackwell, and Nathan Blackwell; her sisters and their spouses, Carol Hardy, Ann Malarkey (late John Malarkey), Cathy Medders-Fagan (Chris Fagan), Helen Mallon (Steve) and Beth Cumbo (Lance Heater); and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 24th , 2026, by Rev. Romeo D. Jazmin. A Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed 15 minutes before the start of Mass. A gathering of friends and family will immediately follow at Cordier Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to one of the following: St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (online at https://www.stjude.org); St Joseph Catholic Church Food Pantry (512 Buckroe Ave, Hampton, VA 23664)