Creative, curious, expressive, nature lover, dog whisperer, zest for life
As a child, Kara was loving, joyful, inquisitive, highly intelligent and astute. Her mother, Bobbi states: “she was quiet and thoughtful, independent and introverted, instead of joining groups, she would observe and play quietly with one or two people.”
When Kara was ten her dog, Elsa, was murdered having a huge emotional impact on her. Her joy of learning eclipsed, and she became depressed. Despite these setbacks, her high IQ and strong determination enabled her to maintain straight A’s and attend post secondary classes at UNCA while finishing high school. She was chosen for an internship, serving as a Government Backcountry Ranger in Zion National Park in Utah, which earned her scholarship money for college. Upon her return from Utah, Kara started at Appalachian State University, majoring in psychology.
While at school, Kara received a call from an acquaintance saying she needed Kara’s help. Kara went to assist, but found the call was a setup by gang members who raped and abused Kara, brain-washed her, kept her constantly drugged and under their control. She never returned to college.
Kara was clever, capable and personable, able at times to hold down responsible jobs. One of her best jobs was at CooperRiis, a mental health recovery facility where her primary duty as House Advisor put her in a position of responsibility for those living in the house. She said: “My work there revealed the empathy I naturally possess and my true and meaningful purpose, I realized what I wanted to do with my life… help others. All I need is an opportunity to shine.”
But Kara was also involved with people who seriously harmed her, physically and emotionally. Injuries she sustained from them and from a series of car accidents made it difficult for her to function without pain medications, prescribed or illicit. She was under psychiatric care for panic attacks, PTSD and agoraphobia. These difficult times were juxtaposed with her eternal hope and confidence that she could change her situation. Despite her depression, every apartment she had was clean, orderly and beautifully decorated. She loved to hike, swim in rivers and collect rocks. Even as an adult she panned for gems, sifting through the rocks and pebbles to find hidden treasures. It seemed a metaphor for her life; she was trying to uncover and maintain the treasure that she was. There was a light in her that could be diminished, but not extinguished.
Bobbi says: “I was often fearful for Kara’s life. I would hold her in Divine Light and pray for her safety and protection. I intuitively know that she was saved from harm several times.” Much of Kara’s life was turbulent and chaotic, but she had an uncanny ability to endure, persevere, have hope and maintain an underlying optimism. Her essence was so full of life; she wanted to live. “She just had so many traumas piled on top of each other, her mother said, “She had so much to dig out of, she just couldn’t release it and heal from all the pain.”
Kara’s mother, Bobbi Leone, provided the information for this narrative.
March 12, 1984-July 23, 2019
Age 35- Lived with addiction 17 years
