FCKuCANCER.

karen marie faubion.

july 31, 1953 – march 17, 2025.

Karen M. Faubion passed away peacefully surrounded by family on March 17, 2025, in Austin, Texas.

Karen had been in treatment for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) for over 5½ years, facing her diagnosis with courage, strength, and grace. Karen was born and reared in Metairie LA. the second child of Andrew and Laverne Fiorella. She graduated from the University of New Orleans with a BS in Mathematics and MS in Engineering. She had a brief stint in the oil and gas industry, but she quickly found her professional passion at NASA. She was an integral part of the team that developed the RMS, the robotic arm that deployed and retrieved many satellites and space shuttle payloads as well as an essential role in the construction of the International Space Station. Karen later became a Flight Activities Officer (FAO) at NASA where she trained many shuttle crews, including the final Challenger mission. Her work was widely respected among NASA colleagues and astronauts, culminating in the prestigious and well-deserved Silver Snoopy Award.

Karen met her future husband Jack through mutual friends in 1994, and they married on July 20, 1996, fittingly on the anniversary of the first moon landing. Their marriage has brought out the best in each of them for their many happy years together.

Karen was unfortunately not a stranger to breast cancer after two previous diagnoses and treatments, but she never stopped enjoying life throughout her many treatments.

She loved cooking, embracing spices and flavors like a true Louisianan, and she was always ready to host friends and family which was a priority for her. While she no longer lived there, LSU held a special place in her heart and she enjoyed tailgate parties more than anything when she visited there.

Additionally, she and Jack took many trips with friends where they would enjoy games by the pool, hiking, good meals, and lots of laughter. Karen was unfailingly kind and generous, and she made many dear friends in Spicewood after she and Jack moved there in retirement. She also loved hosting grandkids Cal and Courtney for summer Hill Country Camp with lots of time for boating, swimming, cooking and games.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Laverne and by her beloved younger sister Anne-Marie Martin (Bill). She is survived by Jack, her husband of 28 years, her stepdaughter Jenny Schroder (George), grandkids Cal and Courtney, sister Shelley Guthrie, brother Andrew (Donna), brother Kevin (Christine), sister-in-law Rasie Miller (James), brother-in-law Joe (Belinda), and loving nieces and nephews. She will be missed by all.

A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for Karen on June 7th in Spicewood and should you choose to do so, please consider a memorial gift to the Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) in Waco or the McKinney Education Foundation (MEF). Jack will make matching gifts to these organizations as an additional incentive to honor Karen.

For MCH, please indicate the “Howard Family Fund in memory of Karen”

For MEF, please indicate “in loving memory of Karen”