Karen Blankenship, a recent pastor at Calvary Community Church of the Nazarene in West Henrietta, New York, passed away 14 February after a six-year battle with cancer. She was 60.

Blankenship served as a minister at Oskaloosa, Iowa, First Church of the Nazarene from 1991 to 1997 before moving to Calvary Community later that year in pastoral service. 

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University in 1979 and earned a Master of Arts degree from Wheaton College in 1982.

Visitation will be held at Calvary Community Church in Henrietta, New York, 18 February from 4 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a memorial service 19 February at 11 a.m. An additional service will take place at the Iowa City, Iowa, Church of the Nazarene on 23 February with visitation at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City.

Karen requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to support T.H.E. Mission Inc., an educational scholarship program for children in Haiti.