I was the editor of SuperScience magazine who hired Karolyn to write and edit stories for us, which she did passionately and with a sparky enthusiasm for whatever topic came her way. I was drawn to her writing because it had a strong voice, as she did, and often broke the unwritten rules of writing for children—refreshingly so. 

I lost touch with Karolyn and Peter a few years after they left New York City, and then I did, too. It was just today that, while trying to find them again, I learned the sad news of Karolyn's passing more than a decade ago.

Still stinging from the shock, it was wonderful to read all the warm stories posted here and learn more about her adventures and passionate work in science and nature.

Besides wondering what she'd gotten up to, the catalyst for reaching out was a science writer I met at a freelance forum. He mentioned that he was working on a book with someone Karolyn had interviewed for the magazine, a specialist in circadian rhythms and adolescence named Mary Carskadon. Mary had told him that the SuperScience story and reader survey, a project that Karolyn spearheaded, turned out to be a “game changer” for her career. 

I’m sad that I'm unable to pass on this positive impact, as I'm sure that it would have brightened Karolyn’s day. She was always pushing to make a difference, to right wrongs, to shake things up, and to make people think. I loved all those things about her.

As others have said, she and Peter always felt like a terrific team. I enjoyed our dinners and events in NYC, where the talk often drifted from science to a wide range of issues and topics of interest.

I can't imagine a more suitable dream project for the two of them than the Texas land restoration.

Peter, I hope you are doing well and send you warm thoughts and very belated condolences.

Lorri Hopping

(I couldn't find a picture of Karolyn or the circadian story, but here's another terrific piece she wrote after a visit to the Smithsonian archives.)