Talented student, teacher and aspiring filmmaker dies

Ms. Kara Warren passed away on November 2, 2005. She was twenty-seven years old.

Kara was raised in Newton and attended Newton North High School where she was actively involved in all aspects of student life. Civically minded, artistically creative and intellectually curious, Kara was president of the Black Students Organization, participated in theater and sang in several of the school’s various choral groups. Keeping in line with her competitive spirit, Kara was also part of the swim team at Newton North.

While in high school, Kara discovered a passion for storytelling and filmmaking. She wrote screenplays and produced student films at Newton North. To better her technical knowledge of film production and to further her talent, she took classes at Northeastern University towards a communications degree. She continued to foster her singing ability and was called back three times in the Las Vegas American Idol casting competition. She also composed several original works for the piano.

Kara cared deeply about people and felt strongly about giving back to the community. After acquiring her black belt in Uechi Ryu, she taught youth karate at the Roxbury YMCA, the Shelburne Center , and the West Suburban YMCA. She held managerial customer service positions throughout her professional life while she continued to pursue her creative outlets.

“Dynamic, passionate, compassionate, creative — these are the words that pop into my head whenever I think about Kara” said her brother, Setti Warren “Her love for humanity and life were limitless and boundless”. In remaining true to Kara’s giving sprit and commitment to humanity, the family has donated her organs in the hopes of assisting those in need.

She is survived by her father, Dr. Joseph Warren; her mother, Elpidia Lopez; her stepmother, Martha Warren; her brother Setti Warren; her sister, Makeda Warren-Keegan; her stepbrother, Keir Walker; her stepsister Lea Walker-Ruggiero and her stepgrandmother Julia Brown.

She is dearly missed by her brothers-in-law Jesse Keegan and Allelon Ruggiero, friend Tassy Plummer and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, there is a scholarship fund that the family is setting up in her name. For more information about how the family intends to honor her memory, please contact Makeda Warren-Keegan at karafund@yahoo.com.