Karen Joan Geyer McGrain, 86, of Pittsboro, died Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at the Jim & Betsy Bryan UNC Hospice Home.

The family is planning a virtual service with details to follow. An in-person service will be planned as soon as circumstances allow.

Karen was born in Racine, Wisconsin on April 22, 1934, to the late Theodore F. and Florence Olsen Geyer. She was also preceded in death by sisters Sue Jones and Cyndi Nitz, and brother, Gordon Geyer.

Karen graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Later Karen became a 5th grade teacher for 20 years. She then started her own business, English Plus, wherein she had contracts with large companies to teach English to foreign born scientists and to advise them in communicating effectively through speech and writing.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, David McGrain; daughters, Anne McGrain of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Beth McGrain of Livingston, N.J., Nina Decker of Cohasset, Minnesota, and Lisa McGrain of Waukegan, Illinois; seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren: .

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Karen’s memory to the Dementia Society of America at demntiasociety.org.

Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the McGrain family.