Remembering Karen Grant
A Beacon of Hope and Joy
Karen Grant, a powerful voice for justice and a beacon of resilience, passed away on September 4, 2025, after a courageous battle with mesothelioma. She was just 29 when diagnosed, but in the years that followed, Karen transformed unimaginable hardship into a life defined by love, purpose, and advocacy.
When illness struck, Karen was at the height of her life: a newlywed with a dream job at Apple and a promising future. But rather than retreat, she met every challenge with the mindset of a seasoned athlete: “You take it one play at a time.” Through collapsed lungs, grueling treatments, and hospital stays, Karen carried a determination that inspired all who knew her.
Her unwavering strength was matched by her boundless creativity. Karen channeled her energy into art, vision boards, and joyful rituals with her husband Geoff, creating beauty even in the darkest moments. Her daily mantra, What is one positive thing I can do today?, became a source of hope for herself and an entire community of patients, caregivers, and advocates.
Karen found joy in the little things: painting, laughing with Jeff, and doting on her beloved bunnies, Bella and Holly. She often said, “When you create, you feel alive,” and she lived that truth with unmatched grace. She chose to play hard, live fully, and inspire deeply every day. Having been friends for nearly 20 years, I saw Karen through many lenses. With her pixie-cut hair and unmistakable twinkle, she often reminded me of Tinker Bell. As Geoff beautifully put it, she had an effervescent spirit that lit up every room.
As an advocate, Karen’s clarity was undeniable. She addressed Congress with the same conviction that defined her life: “Ban asbestos because it is toxic. It is deadly. It is killing people… There is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Period. End of message.” Her voice, grounded in lived experience, carried the moral weight of someone who knew the stakes and demanded change for future generations.
Karen was set to receive the Alan Reinstein Award at the 20th Annual Asbestos Awareness & Prevention Conference and to present during the “Voices of Pain – Faces of Change” session. Though she will not be there in person, her spirit, fight, and love will echo through every word spoken and story shared.
Karen Grant’s legacy is not one of tragedy but of triumph, love, and light. Like Alan, she never gave up. She chose to live, to create, and to change the world. Her voice will forever be a part of ours.
Details about Karen’s service are available online at https://www.farmerfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Karen-L-Grant?obId=45110410#/obituaryInfo
Geoff, on behalf of ADAO, we send our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Love,
Linda
