Karen McKenna Aylward, age 66, a resident of New Canaan and Boynton Beach, FL., died Saturday, November 9, 2013 in Norwalk Hospital after a brief illness with her loving family by her side. She had lived in New Canaan for over 40 years. Born in San Mateo, CA, May 24, 1947 she was the daughter of the late Robert E. and Jeanne S. McKenna of San Jose, CA. Karen was the wife of Thomas J. Aylward, IV. She attended San Jose State University, the University of Oklahoma and the University of San Diego. Following college she served as a flight attendant with United Airlines based in Chicago where she met her husband. She and her husband moved to New York City in 1971 and two years later settled in New Canaan. In her early days in New Canaan she worked for Montessori International as a graphic designer and was an active member of the Junior League. The family moved to Seoul Korea in 1981. There, she served as Chairman of the Seoul International Women’s Association and was also a board member of the American Women’s Association. She also volunteered with the Red Cross working with the U.S. military. Always an excellent cook, she was asked to do an english language culinary series on Korean television. Upon returning to New Canaan in 1986, she continued her volunteer work with the Junior League and became active with Norwalk Community College. There she served as a member of the Board of Trustees for a number of years and was involved with several fund raising benefits that significantly contributed to the College’s endowment fund. She was also a past president of the Junior League Sustainers and was an active member of the New Canaan Sewing Group involved in craft work, something she enjoyed immensely and at which she excelled. In addition to her husband, Karen is survived by her daughter, Courtney Maple Aylward-Jahn of Summerville, SC; her son Thomas J. (Tucker) Aylward, V of Boynton Beach, FL; her two brothers, Robert E. McKenna Jr. of Monrovia, CA and Michael G. McKenna of Oakland, CA; her sister, Patricia McKenna Andrade of Broken Arrow, OK, and her cherished granddaughter Elizabeth Jean (Lilly) Aylward-Jahn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday November 16, 2013 at 11:00AM at St Aloysius Church, New Canaan. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends at the Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St, New Canaan on Friday evening from 4 to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to the Norwalk Community College Foundation (188 Richards Ave., Norwalk, CT 06854-1655). For online condolences and directions visit www.hoytfuneralhome.com