Karen Vignola Truitt, indomitable spirit
Karen Vignola Truitt, 60, a native Beebe baby, passed away Thursday, July 10, 2025.
Growing up, she worked at her family's (Vignola) motel, the Cove, in Dewey Beach as a lifeguard and marina manager. In her 20s, she owned a local floral shop and enjoyed using her artistic talent to arrange flowers for weddings and funerals. Karen was diagnosed with MS at 30, but she didn't let that stop her, earning a degree in human resources and later advocating for the ADA at the Capitol alongside then-Sen. Biden. Karen was active in fundraising and support for the MS Society and MS Foundation, and despite her disability, attended many events.
Karen retired after a 15-year career at Patio Systems in Lewes, where she managed the office and demonstrated the products. Karen also traveled the world extensively and had a keen interest in history and archaeology. During her life, she evolved from religion to spirituality, attending many conferences at the Association for Research and Enlightenment in Virginia Beach. Karen has pledged a generous endowment to support the Legacy Fund at A.R.E. She spent the past decade studying shamanism under the Beach Shaman, a local master. Although Karen fought the good fight, there were further complications from kidney disease and congestive heart failure.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Stephen Vignola; father, Robert Vignola; and mother, Judith Vignola. Karen's husband, William “Eddie” E. Truitt, passed away last August. Karen leaves behind her 20-year partner, travel buddy and caregiver, Ronald Simmons; her paternal cousin, Michael Vignola; and her aunt, Valery Vignola. Karen's greatest joy has been her cats, and the current pair, Smokey and Tigger, miss her dearly.
Karen's wishes to be cremated are being honored, and there will be a remembrance at Henlopen Memorial Park Cemetery, followed by a reception for close friends and family. The date will be announced on Facebook.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the MS Society are encouraged in her memory.
