Karen Louise Adamo, 53, of Ashburn, Virginia died on Sunday, May 8, 2016 suddenly and unexpectedly from a very aggressive blood infection. She was traveling with family in Connecticut at the time of her passing.

Born Karen Louise Kessenich on August 7, 1962 in Waco Texas to Jerome (Jerry) Kessenich and Geraldine (Jerrie) Kessenich, Karen was the oldest of three children. She lived with her family in Texas, Louisiana, Germany, and California before her family settled in Virginia. She graduated from Robinson Secondary School in 1980 in Fairfax, Virginia and from Virginia Tech in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Political Science. Karen was also a charter member of Pi Beta Phi sorority at Virginia Tech.

In 1984 Karen began a career in Republican politics that spanned 31 years. She was a highly regarded and senior level executive of the Finance Divisions for all of the Republican National Campaign Committees, to include the National Republican Senatorial Committee, National Republican Congressional Committee and the Republican National Committee. In this capacity, she served both President Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. She was also well known for her creativity and talent on the Special Event teams for every national Republican Convention beginning in 1988, as well as several presidential inaugurals. In addition she was an integral part of the Presidential Campaigns of Senator John McCain in 2000 and 2008 and most recently worked on the Presidential Campaign of Senator Lindsey Graham.

In between her career in politics, Karen served as Chief Administrator and Director of Development for the Virginia Opera and as Executive Assistant to Mrs. Dan Snyder. Karen was a tireless, dedicated worker, who was not only a generous mentor and friend, but was also considered a highly valued, respected and trusted colleague by her peers. Perhaps Karen's most enduring characteristics were her charming personality, her loving, happy nature and her bright smile that would light up a room.

Karen had a lifetime passion for music of all types. In high school she sang in many choirs, musicals, two televised musical productions, and as her talent in a Junior Miss Pageant. As an adult, she performed several seasons with the Oratorio Society of Washington in such venues as the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC and the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Virginia. Her creative talents extended to her own stationary business and her most recent pursuit of interior decorating.

Karen married Mark Michael Adamo, originally of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, on May 23, 2010. Mark died on November 26, 2013 from brain cancer. Karen was an impressive caregiver to Mark, rarely leaving his side during his illness. She was equally impressive recently supporting her parents, in particular helping her father recover from a back injury.

Karen is survived by her parents Jerry and Jerrie Kessenich of Ashburn Virginia, her brother Karl Kessenich and his wife Cindy Kessenich and their son Matthew Kessenich of Burke Virginia, her sister Kate Bett and her husband Christopher Bett of Upton Massachusetts and her nephews Alex Bett and Miles Bett, Mark's children Katt Adamo, Jackie Adamo, Thomas Adamo, many other Kessenich and Adamo family members, and so many friends from all parts of her life.

A memorial service is planned for June 4, 2016 in Ashburn Virginia at the Belmont Country Club located at 19661 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn, Virginia 20147 with a service scheduled to start at 12:00 and reception to follow.

Karen was very grateful to Capital Caring (www.captialcaring.org), 209 Gibson Street, NW, Suite 202, Leesburg, Virginia 20178 for the care and comfort they provided Mark and Karen during Mark's illness. Our family is also grateful to the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation (www.lostdogrescue.org), PO Box 50037, Arlington, VA 22205, for their help in finding Karen's dog a new home.

Karen was a bright and shining member of her family, committed friend to so many, and carried a smile that brightened everyone around her. We all love her, we miss her, we have been blessed to have had her in our lives, and we take comfort in knowing that she is reunited with Mark.