Saying Goodbye to a PR Icon
Today is a sad day for public relations. The profession has lost an icon with the passing of Karen Plunkett, APR.
A 22-year veteran of the industry, Karen was a leader who cared deeply about the profession. She was a tireless advocate for public relations education, and previously chaired the Florida Public Relations Education Foundation.
Karen was a former Florida Public Relations Association State President (1991) and FPRA Orlando Area Chapter President (1987). She was named Central Florida PR Professional of the Year in 1989 and FPRA Member of the Year in 1994. In 2008, she received FPRA’s highest individual honor — the John W. Dillin Award.
In recent years, Karen taught public relations at Rollins College and served as faculty advisor to its FPRA student chapter, Communiqué. She loved her students and was available for them at any hour, for any reason.
Karen was an inspiring role model, mentor, teacher, friend, and colleague to many.
The professional and student members of FPRA mourn Karen’s passing and will forever remember her contributions to the Association and to the profession she loved.
Thanks for your good work and wisdom, Karen Plunkett. We miss you already.
UPDATE:
Karen Plunkett’s family has scheduled a memorial service for 11 a.m. this Saturday, July 24 at the Knowles Memorial Chapel on the Rollins College campus in Winter Park. It will be a non-traditional service with the contemporary and classical music she loved, and a few people who will speak about Karen.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
The Kelberman Center for Autism
1020 Mary Street
Utica, New York 13501
www.kelbermancenter.org
or
American Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Northern & Central Florida Chapter
3319 Maguire Blvd.
Orlando, Florida 32803
(407) 898-0733
Karen was a very classy person who cared deeply about people who practice public relations, whether you were an entry-level practitioner or a senior-level professional. I had the privilege of serving as president of the Orlando Area Chapter about 21 years after Karen’s presidency, and even though two decades had passed since her term Karen frequently called me to see how things were going and offer help if needed. She understood that one of the greatest professional gifts you can provide is that of mentoring the people who follow in your footsteps. While I am saddened by her passing, I am even more saddened that future practitioners won’t have the opportunity to know Karen and understand the impact she made on so many people. I hope we always remember Karen’s warmth, spirit, energy, values and contributions.
Karen was truly a great PR Professional. We were so lucky to have Karen in the Central Florida area because she has touched many of our lives personally and professionally. I met Karen when I was a senior in College and she was one of he first PR Professionals that reached out to me and guided me into the PR Profession. I am grateful that I had over 24 years knowing Karen and she will never be forgotten. We miss you Karen and thank you for your contributions and support all these years!
Karen was the best of us as a PR professional and an educator. She inspired countless students and moved FPRA forward with her leadership contributions. All who knew her will miss her diplomatic skills, her smile and her laughter.
Karen Plunkett was truly an Orlando public relations icon. I will always remember her encouraging smile as she sat on my APR readiness review panel. Her smile helped me to relax and believe that I could do it. Thank you Karen. We’ll miss you.
I am still so saddened that words cannot express what Karen meant to so many of us, but this was a nicely written start…