Director of Student Health
and Wellness dies suddenly

The Grove City College family lost a much-loved member with the sudden death of Director of Student Health and Wellness Karen Danielson, who had worked in the Zerbe Health Center since 1987. She began to feel ill while working on May 8, was taken to the hospital and put on life support. She died the afternoon of May 10 in Allegheny General Hospital.

Family and friends were received on May 15 at Cunningham Funeral Home, 306 Bessemer Ave., Grove City. The funeral was held May 16 at Grove City Alliance Church, 845 N. Liberty Rd., Grove City.

Born in Warren, Pa., on July 20, 1942, Danielson, 63, had lived in Grove City for more than 35 years with her husband of 41 years, Denny. They have four sons, Scott, Eric, Christopher and Brian, and several grandchildren. Danielson’s daughter-in-law, Daisy, also works as a nurse at Grove City College.

“We all grieve the loss of one of God’s servants and a very special friend to many of us,” wrote Vice President of Student Life and Learning Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson in an all-campus message on the morning of May 11. “Please continue to pray for Karen's family and for those who worked closely with her.”

A registered nurse since 1975, Danielson was an avid cook and loved creating heart-healthy recipes. Several years ago, she authored a cookbook, “Creations and Collections from KD’s Kitchen,” which contained 250 recipes she had created or made healthier or had collected from family and friends. It was in its fifth printing. She had another cookbook planned for release this summer, “Soups and Stews for the Heart and Soul.”

On campus, she was the full-time director of Zerbe Health Center, serving the College’s 2,300 students in health-related matters. She organized several blood drives on campus each year and took on a motherly role with the students she served every day. “First and foremost,” Danielson had said in a Feb. 17, 2006, article in The Collegian student newspaper, “we are mothers.” When a student visited Zerbe for the first time, Danielson made sure he or she knew of the nurses’ motto: “We are here for you and we are here because of you.” (Click here to read The Collegian story.)

In January, Danielson began making two gallons of her own homemade chicken soup for Grove City College students feeling under the weather. In an April story in Allied News, she said it made a big difference to students and to their moms. "It's a labor of love," she had said. "I'm a mother too. I would have been very comfortable if someone took care of (my children) like that. We really care for the students." She added that several mothers sent thank-you notes for taking such good care of their children, especially freshmen who were away from home for the first time. (Read Allied News story.)

Active in the community, Danielson co-hosted a local cooking show, “From Market to Table,” with David Knopp at County Market in Pine Grove Square, Grove City. She also recently began writing a food- and recipe-centered column in weekend editions of Allied News. (Click here to read the May 6 and April 22 columns.)

Danielson, who often offered tastings and book signings at County Market, also entered her culinary creations in local cooking contests. She maintained a web site at www.kdskitchen.com, where she posted recipes and news. She also appeared on the popular PBS cooking program, “WQED Cooks” with Chris Fennimore on the “I is For Italian” segment. Viewers of the cooking show had the opportunity to send in recipes, some of which were published in a WQED fund-raising cookbook. Danielson’s recipe for “Heart-Healthy Alfredo Sauce” remains one of the show’s most requested recipes. She also had recipes published in Bon Appetit magazine and in several Bon Appetit cookbooks.

More on Karen Danielson’s life:

PHOTO: Chef Karen
Spaghetti Zuppa: Allied News: (5.6.06)
Mom’s Heavenly Salad: Allied News (4.22.06)
Chicken Soup: Good for the Soul: Allied News (4.12.06)
Danielson fills roles of mom and nurse: The Collegian (2.17.06)
Press Release: Cooking Demo (6.17.03)
Press Release: County Market (1.2.02)
Press Release: Cookbook (9.28.01)
Stirring Things Up: Crossings employee newsletter (May 2001)