Karen Starr

Karen Lillian Starr, age 78, of Nashville, died peacefully surrounded by her family and friends on February 16, 2024. Karen was born on October 3, 1945, to the late George and Bessie Starr.

Karen joined the United States Army Nurse Corps in 1978, spending four years on Active Duty and nearly 24 years in the Reserves. She retired from the Army in 2005 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Karen was a nurse practitioner at Vanderbilt University Hospital specializing in Transplant Psychiatry. From 1984 to 1995, Karen worked as a psychiatric nurse practitioner at the Vanderbilt Institute for Treatment of Addiction. In 1995, Karen accepted the challenge of leading the Transplant Psychiatry Service. For many years, she was the busiest outpatient clinician in her department. At the same time, she taught many nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians with her unique blend of curiosity, empathy, and clinical wisdom. She published over 15 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, many of them as first author.

Some of Karen’s favorite pastimes included dancing with her husband, Mark, hosting parties for family and friends, and traveling the world. Karen enjoyed cooking and was a gifted artist who loved painting and sewing. Karen was a woman with a positive outlook on life and the world, and she dedicated her life to helping others.

Karen is survived by her loving husband, Mark Myers; her daughters and sons-in-law, Kary and Ed Holland of Destin, FL and Kathy and Kurt Madvig of Granger, IN; her grandchildren, Lauren Holland, Courtney Holland, Alexander Madvig, Alyssa Madvig, and Addison Madvig; her sister, Kathy Brown; her niece, Brianna Brown Keen; and her nephew, Tom Brown.

The memorial service for Karen Starr will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Second Presbyterian Church, 3511 Belmont Blvd in Nashville. The visitation will be at 1 p.m., with service to follow at 2 p.m.

Donations can be made in Karen’s honor to the Muscular Dystrophy Association at MDA.org in lieu of flowers.