Karen Bowles Cutright, 81, passed away of a sudden stroke on Aug. 25, 2023, in Asheville, NC. She was a 1960 graduate of Skaneateles Central School and although she lived in many other places, Karen considered Skaneateles her hometown. Her love for the lake, the village, and living here knew no bounds. She once wrote “we were the luckiest kids on the planet growing up in Skaneateles!”
Karen arrived in Skaneateles at age 14 from Pittsburgh, PA. Her high school years at SCS were a treasure trove of wonderful friendships and experiences that she carried for a lifetime. The high school yearbook described her as “subtle … sophisticated … witty,” and her classmates voted her “Most Likely to Succeed.” With modesty, hers was a life of significance and she lived up to all of these attributes throughout her next 63 years.
Karen’s home on East Lake Road was always open to friends for fun get-togethers, both planned and spontaneous. She had a quick wit and could have everyone in tears of laughter with her comments. Engaged with all levels of high school students, she co-authored the popular “Teens In Town” column in the Skaneateles Press for several seasons.
Never one to draw attention to herself, Karen was nonetheless a magnet for classmates who valued her honesty, her perceptivity and her respect for others. She spent hours listening to friends and supporting them through difficult times, as well as celebrating happy times. She had a genuine interest and concern for others and was direct in sharing her assessments. This would serve her well in her professional career working with college students.
A top student at SCS, Karen attended Vassar College and graduated with a focus in history and art. She went on to work in Washington, DC, where she met her husband, Phill Cutright, a scholar in the field of sociology. After earning her law degree from Vanderbilt University, Karen served as a dean of the college at both Indiana State and Ohio State Universities before she and Phill retired to the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. In retirement, she traveled, took long walks, spent time with Phill’s daughters Jenny and Ann, played tennis and mahjong, loved her book club and made an additional set of dear friends.
Historical sites, art museums and grand gardens were Karen’s passions as she travelled about the United States and Europe. She loved to talk about art and history! The Barrow Gallery in the back of the Skaneateles Library was one of her favorite places as it brought together her love of history and art, plus the captivating beauty of Skaneateles Lake and surrounds.
Karen came back to visit Skaneateles countless times over the years. An avid walker, she
would criss-cross the village tirelessly on foot, reminiscing with others about old friends and
shared experiences. She said she sometimes found joy in “just staring at the lake.” Her most
recent visit was in May of this year – Her high school friends treasure those last lively and loving
days shared with her.
Karen is too soon gone and is greatly missed by all who knew her well – She gave so many the
gift of a deep and enduring friendship which has enriched their lives forever.
