Karyn Michelle Baker, 63 of Clear Brook, VA passed before her time at the hospital with family by her side.

Born May 24, 1962, Karyn was the daughter of the late Carl Stephen Baker and Shirley Johnson.

Karyn graduated from Cape Henry School (now known as Cape Henry Collegiate School) in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1980 prior to embarking in undergraduate studies for a brief period in England. Upon returning to Virginia, she studied at William and Mary while earning a private pilot’s license before landing at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where she earned AS, BS (1985) and MS (1987) degrees in Business Administration in Aviation…and met her future husband, Steve Athearn.

Her professional career was spent in the Savings and Loan, Mortgage Finance, Real Estate lending and travel industries before focusing full time on volunteer work for the Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California for 21 years, as well as supporting several other animal rescue organizations during this same time. She and her husband opened their home to foster Basset Hounds on behalf of the BHRSC. Her love and devotion to all animals had no limits, and her most endearing friendships were established these latter years, many through their own association with the BHRSC.

On October 27, 2016, she married her husband, Stephen Edwards Athearn, with whom she shared 9 years of marriage and 26 years of affection.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her half-brother and his wife, Steve and Jonnell Baker, and first cousins on the Shirley Johnson side of the family in England, Ireland and Luxembourg, John Leahy, Sharon Hutchinson and David (Nick) Graham.

Karyn’s memorial service will be held at Omps Funeral Home, 1600 Amherst Street, Winchester, VA 22601, on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 1:00 PM EDT (10:00 AM PDT, 6:00 PM BST, 7:00 PM CEST). The event will be live streamed for the convenience of those unable to attend. The link to access the live stream will be uploaded here the day of the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to:
Firwood Farm Alpacas & Rescue: Donate – Firwood Farm Alpacas & Rescue
DaphneyLand Basset Rescue: DaphneyLand Basset Hound Rescue | Donations
Basset Hound Rescue of Southern California: Donate – www.bassethoundrescue.org