Karen Anne Wiltshire Wade Ward, 73, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2024 with her family by her side. She was born on January 15, 1951 in Columbia, Tennessee and moved to Middletown, NJ in 1960. She graduated from Middletown Township High School and then attended THE Ohio State University where she graduated with her Bachelors Degree in Education. She met her high school sweetheart, Doug at 15 years old and they were married in 1972. They had two children and then moved to Dade City, Florida in 1982. Throughout her extensive career with the Pasco County School system, she taught at San Antonio Elementary, Pasco Middle School, was an Assistant Principal at Weightman Middle and then at Centennial Middle School, where she retired from in 2015. Karen is survived by her husband, Terry who she married in 2000; children Jennifer Aimee (Eric) Wade and Zachary Owens (Jules) Wade; stepson Jason Ward; grandson, Aidan Ward; brothers Steve (Deborah) Wiltshire; nieces Jessica Poe; Angela Boiko and Matt (Meg) Wiltshire; nieces Sarah Groves and Sydney OMalley; aunt, Lou Anne Adams; mother-in-law, Carol Wade; sister-in-law Barbara (Dave) Richards; numerous cousins, great nieces and great nephews, best friend Edith Webb, and many lifelong family friends, students, co-workers and numerous fur babies she adored over the years. She was proceeded in death by her husband of 26 years Douglas Wade, her father S.O. Wiltshire, Father-in-law, Art Wade, her mother, Dorothy Bolan, her stepfather Don Bolan, her brother-in-law Chris Wade, her stepson Terry Ward, Jr, her grandmother, Elizabeth Swing, her grandparents, George & Catherine Swing, and Ginny Jo and Raymond Wiltshire. There are thousands of memories we treasure including summers at the lake, station wagon dance trips after school with an ice cream parlor detour, following the Boom Squad for PHS, frozen margarita nights, Homosassa scalloping trips on the 4th of July, Times Square after midnight and trips to New York City, exploring the Big Apple, Church Street Station nights, sports trips and memorable cross country meets, believable stories from the teenagers, movie nights and visits to Seattle. She was very dedicated to the education of students in Pasco County and her family and friends of all ages near and far. She LOVED music of all genres but especially the Beatles. Karen was known for her big smile and huge heart, always giving 110% to anything and anybody she loved. She would want us to continue her love and warmth that she shared with us. A Celebration of Life will be held at Waller Barn Tuesday, August 13th with a visitation at 5 pm, service at 6 pm and dinner to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pasco Education Foundation or the Humane Society of Pasco County.