Karen Vandevoorde, 68, of Sebastian, passed away on Oct. 13, 2014, at her residence in Sebastian with her loving family by her side.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years, René G. VanDeVoorde; son Dr. René G. VanDeVoorde III (Nicole); daughters Cynthia VanDeVoorde Hall (Martin) and Rachel M. VanDeVoorde; and four grandchildren, Julianna, Eleanor, Oliver, and William.
She was born in Miami and graduated from Immaculata Academy in Coconut Grove. Earning a community foundation-based scholarship, she attended the University of Florida with interest in studying law and majored in Political Science, graduating with honors in 1968. While there, she met her husband, René G. VanDeVoorde, whom she married in 1969.
She earned her teaching certificate and taught in Miami and Chiefland, Fla., for a few years before relocating to Sebastian with her husband after he graduated from law school. VanDeVoorde first taught social studies at Gifford Middle School before becoming an original faculty member at Sebastian River Middle Junior High School.
While teaching, she went back to being a student herself in the evenings and on weekends, earning a Master’s in Education from the University of Central Florida. She served as dean at Vero Beach High School, as assistant principal at Sebastian River Middle Junior High School, before rising to Executive Director of Secondary Education and Instructional Programs for Indian River County School District.
VanDeVoorde had a passion for volunteering and giving back to her community, and was dedicated to many philanthropic endeavors. Recognizing that a similar organization allowed her to attend college at a time when university scholarships were not widely available, she served on the Board for Dollars for Scholars of Indian River County, now known as the Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County, Inc. for more than 25 years.
She was also an active member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Sebastian, serving previously as a lector, special minister of the Eucharist, and catechism teacher while most recently as a member of the Parish Council. Through the years, she has been involved as a founding member of the Sebastian River Junior Woman’s Club and on the Board of the Samaritan Center in Vero Beach.
After her retirement from the School District of Indian River County, she continued to volunteer with various school testing programs and as a volunteer with Winners Walk Tall at Liberty Magnet Elementary, while acting as an officer and active member of the Retired Educators of Indian River County and volunteering regularly at the Roseland United Methodist Church Thrift Shop.
The family asks that any memorial donations be made to the Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County, Inc., VanDeVoorde Family Scholarship Award, P.O. Box 1820, Vero Beach, FL 32961 in lieu of flowers.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, Sebastian, with a prayer service being held at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 17, at St. Sebastian Catholic Church with Father John Morrissey, celebrant. Interment will be at Sebastian Cemetery, Sebastian. Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory, Sebastian. A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
