Karen Evans Rose

Karen Evans Rose, beloved mother, spouse, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 10, 2025, surrounded by her family, due to a stroke.

Karen was loved and respected for her selfless and constant willingness to help others. She was a wonderful listener and a source of wise and patient advice.

Karen had a strong sense of adventure, which she imparted to her family. She organized family trips in the US and more than 30 other countries, starting with a trip to Japan with 1-year-old Michelle and husband Bill, while seven months pregnant. In the last year of her life, she and Bill journeyed together to New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Azores.

Karen was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois to Lois Evans (Herr) and Robert Evans Jr., the eldest of their seven children. She grew up mostly in Acton, Massachusetts; the family also lived in Tokyo for two years. She was valedictorian of the Acton-Boxborough High School Class of 1977. She enrolled at Harvard University, where she met her husband, Bill Rose, and many lifelong friends. In 1981, Karen graduated with high honors in economics, leading the way for her six siblings, who also graduated from Harvard. She then moved to Tokyo for two years, where she worked for Mobil Sekiyu and spoke Japanese at work. After her time in Tokyo, she enrolled at UPenn’s Wharton School, where she received her MBA in May 1985. She and Bill were married at Harvard a week later.

Karen spent most of her professional career at MBNA Bank, where she worked from 1985 to 2006 and retired as Senior Executive Vice President. She relished the strategic challenge of growing the bank and making it a workplace where others could flourish. She admired and respected her colleagues, who felt the same way about her. After her retirement, Karen dedicated herself to volunteer work. She served on the Board of Directors of the Delaware Children’s Museum for over 20 years, until her death. She was chair of the Exhibits Committee during the design and construction of DCM, and she served as Board President for four years. She and her family raised three puppies as guide dogs for The Seeing Eye. She also volunteered for the Boys and Girls Club of Wilmington, Tatnall School, Family Promise of Chester County, and the Hockessin Library.

Throughout her life, Karen encouraged and embraced all her childrens’ interests: attending countless soccer games, driving kids to lessons and rehearsals for music, sports, and plays, leading a family trip to see millions of bats in Texas, and so much more. She crafted science experiments and had endless energy to share wonder and joy with her granddaughter, Maeve.

Karen’s generosity and patience were obvious to all who knew her: parents and siblings, children and grandchildren, neighbors, colleagues, and friends. She loved to explore new places, make music, seek out birds and other wildlife, and play with children. Her greatest pleasure in life was making her loved ones feel happy and fulfilled. Her love and her life gave her husband’s life meaning.

She is survived by her husband William C. Rose, her children Michelle (Matthew Lineberger), Bill (Erin Harrington), Allison, and Emily Rose; granddaughter Maeve Harrington-Rose; siblings Robert Evans III, Janet Evans, Thomas Evans, Midori Evans, Laura Fayer, and Katherine Evans; and by many nieces, nephews, cousins, step siblings, and other adoring family.

Three families received life-saving organ gifts from Karen, as she wished.

There will be a celebration of Karen’s life on Saturday, March 22, from 6:00 – 8:00PM at the Delaware Children’s Museum, 550 Justison Street, Wilmington. Remarks will begin at 6:30PM. Light refreshment will be provided. Please wear something cheerful!

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Karen Evans Rose Fund for the DCM at https://www.delawarechildrensmuseum.org/donate/, or send a check to: Delaware Children’s Museum, 550 Justison St., Wilmington, DE 19801, attn: Karen Evans Rose Fund.

Karen worked tirelessly to make the DCM’s exhibits fun, stimulating, and educational. The Karen Evans Rose Fund for the DCM supports her legacy in the creation of innovative exhibits.