Karen Michaelson
March 11, 1944 — April 25, 2026
Services
Obituary
Karen L. Michaelson, of Columbia, Maryland, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the age of 82. She is survived by her daughter, Jamaila (Donald) Brinkley; siblings, Maxine Russell and Dr. Edward (Susan) Michaelson; grandchildren, Zelda Brinkley and Donald Brinkley Jr.; and many loving friends. Karen was predeceased by her parents, Sylvia and Harvey Michaelson; and her brother, Leonard Michaelson.
Karen was a dedicated professor of Anthropology and Health Sciences at Eastern Washington University. She earned her Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a reflection of her deep intellectual curiosity and lifelong commitment to learning. A Fulbright Scholar, Karen spent a year in India and traveled to Afghanistan and many other countries throughout the world as part of her education and work. These experiences deeply shaped her interest in the effects of systemic disadvantage on childbirth, particularly in low-income and rural communities, a subject on which she authored two books.
Her work as an educator extended far beyond the classroom. During her time at Eastern Washington University, Karen founded The Inland Northwest Community Access Network, known as TINCAN, a nonprofit created to expand access to technology, education, digital resources, and opportunity throughout the Inland Northwest. Through TINCAN, Karen helped bring high-speed internet, computer access, and digital training to rural, low-income, and underserved communities. Her work helped connect families, students, small businesses, and community organizations to tools that many had previously been unable to access.
Karen understood that access to knowledge, care, and opportunity could change lives. Whether through teaching, research, writing, travel, or community-building, she devoted herself to helping others better understand and navigate the world around them.
Karen will be remembered as a passionate, driven, and deeply engaged woman whose life was shaped by curiosity, purpose, and service to others. She touched many lives through her teaching, her leadership, and her commitment to helping people grow. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Services are private. Please omit flowers. Contributions in her memory may be sent to The Village In Howard, PO Box 1276, Columbia, MD 21044. A celebration of life will be held at The Village in Howard, please contact The Village in Howard for updated information.
Karen was a dedicated professor of Anthropology and Health Sciences at Eastern Washington University. She earned her Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, a reflection of her deep intellectual curiosity and lifelong commitment to learning. A Fulbright Scholar, Karen spent a year in India and traveled to Afghanistan and many other countries throughout the world as part of her education and work. These experiences deeply shaped her interest in the effects of systemic disadvantage on childbirth, particularly in low-income and rural communities, a subject on which she authored two books.
Her work as an educator extended far beyond the classroom. During her time at Eastern Washington University, Karen founded The Inland Northwest Community Access Network, known as TINCAN, a nonprofit created to expand access to technology, education, digital resources, and opportunity throughout the Inland Northwest. Through TINCAN, Karen helped bring high-speed internet, computer access, and digital training to rural, low-income, and underserved communities. Her work helped connect families, students, small businesses, and community organizations to tools that many had previously been unable to access.
Karen understood that access to knowledge, care, and opportunity could change lives. Whether through teaching, research, writing, travel, or community-building, she devoted herself to helping others better understand and navigate the world around them.
Karen will be remembered as a passionate, driven, and deeply engaged woman whose life was shaped by curiosity, purpose, and service to others. She touched many lives through her teaching, her leadership, and her commitment to helping people grow. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Services are private. Please omit flowers. Contributions in her memory may be sent to The Village In Howard, PO Box 1276, Columbia, MD 21044. A celebration of life will be held at The Village in Howard, please contact The Village in Howard for updated information.
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