Sad News
Some of you may have noticed Kayray’s final blog post was on Thursday, September 28th.
She died in her sleep sometime in the morning of Friday the 29th of September. She seemed to be peaceful.
Please keep listening to her stories, enjoying life, reading to children, growing good food, eating less meat, and creating things for your loved ones.
If anyone would like to reach out to me, you can do so at the following email address: frigon.henry@gmail.com. Please put “Kayray” in the subject so I know it isn’t spam. I will read them all but may not answer right away.
Henry.
Category: Blog 79 comments »
October 1st, 2023 at 12:13 pm
Eternal gratitude to Kara for being who she was and loving everyone so completely and so well. Kayray FOREVER.
October 1st, 2023 at 2:13 pm
Much love and sympathy on her loss. I will miss her posts, but will remember whenever I listen to stories she’s read.
I admired her so much.
October 1st, 2023 at 3:33 pm
It was such a great couple of years seeing her work. She brought joy with her audiobooks and the blog posts were such a nice break. She will be missed. My deepest condolences for your loss man.
October 1st, 2023 at 4:30 pm
She will be remembered forever. Her kindness and her work will leave ripples for generations.
October 1st, 2023 at 6:50 pm
So very sorry for your loss Henry. Thank you for making this final post for those of us who have been sending Kara love and light. Could tell she was getting near the end and am glad that she was at least able to go peacefully in her sleep. Wishing peace to all her family and friends. I’ve been listening to her read for years and will continue to enjoy her recordings.
October 1st, 2023 at 8:21 pm
I just discovered Kayray reads last week (Greenwitch) and it has been helping me feel calm and sleep at night. I only tonight clicked to find out more, only to get this sad news. I am so sorry to hear it. I think you’re going to find out are a LOT of people who feel the same way.
October 1st, 2023 at 10:11 pm
I’m so sorry Henry, much love to you & your family & Dave. Your mom, definitely an amazing lady. I admire her so much, a multitalented lovely person. I will miss her dearly<3<3<3
October 1st, 2023 at 10:55 pm
@charlotte gardiner – I hope you will still listen. Many of the recordings were initially made to help me sleep when I was little!
October 2nd, 2023 at 3:07 am
She comforted us all in a myriad of ways and we are eternally grateful that she died in peace. It’s still not quite real, because her essence remains SO STRONG! Kara Forever!
October 2nd, 2023 at 6:41 am
Yes, Kara was an extraordinary communicator, but it was her engagement with life- with you, Henry, and your family- with cooking, crafting, learning up until the end- that will remain with me. Many of us in her situation would merely have sat around and wept.
All good wishes to you during this time of loss, Henry.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:28 am
I’m just a Librivox listener. My dyslexic children and I are forever grateful. I’m so sorry for your loss.
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:33 am
My condolences to the family. I am her second cousin, although I am more than 30 years older and we never met. I do remember her father, Bob Shallenberg, well.
Jerry
October 2nd, 2023 at 11:45 am
my fiancé and I are so sad to read this enviable news. What you wrote, Henry, is a great few reminders to help keep Kara’s spirit alive, in addition to all these archives she left us to enjoy forever. Oh Kara, you had a lot of “made it to ” events at the end and thank you for sharing them with us all. Our personal one is “made it to season 16 of Taskmaster!” and we got right into the opinions and gossip of it all like usual. Taskmaster will just be another way ill keep you in my heart personally.
October 2nd, 2023 at 1:01 pm
I am so sorry to hear of her passing. We first found her through librivox for audio recordings of books that we were reading for homeschooling. Her friendly voice quickly became our family’s favorite and my kids often ask for Kayray’s audiobooks during lunchtime (we’re currently on our second time through A Cricket in Times Square). She has been such a blessing to us, and we will continue to enjoy listening to her ??
October 2nd, 2023 at 4:01 pm
So sorry to hear of Kayray’s passing. I just found her reading of Dracula on Librivox and have been enjoying it immensely. She definitely made a difference in the world by her being in it. May that knowledge comfort you and your family.
October 3rd, 2023 at 8:40 am
We have been enjoying her librivox recordings for many years. PAH is a terrible disease that just recently took my stepmom, too. Kayray left a beautiful legacy and will be missed.
October 3rd, 2023 at 10:42 am
I discovered Kayray through Librivox. Loved (and still love ) her recordings. Found her blog and enjoyed her posts so much. My sympathies to Kara’s loved ones.
October 3rd, 2023 at 10:08 pm
My sincerest condolences to Kara’s family. Her voice has become familiar to my kids and I from our Ambleside readings on Librivox. She was one of our favorite voices. ?
October 4th, 2023 at 8:11 am
Our sincere condolences to Kara’s family. My son has been listening to her voice for 5yrs on librivox with homeschool and my daughter started last year. Kara’s voice has taught my son many things! We will continue to listen to Karas voice and our hearts are sad to hear of her passing.
October 4th, 2023 at 10:34 am
Our condolences for your family! <3 <3 hugs and love from an Ambleside Online family <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
October 4th, 2023 at 10:36 am
My sincere apologies. my previous comment had heart emojis and not question marks. Again, we are very sorry for this loss.
Stephanie
October 5th, 2023 at 5:34 am
Sincere condolences to you and your family. Kayray’s voice was a big part of our home school — we listened tonher recordings all day everyday for many years. We also enjoyed hearing your voice, Henry, when you had questions or comments (one of my faves was you piping up, “excuse me, Kayray?” Too cute!) She will be so missed, and so many homes will continue to keep her memory alive by playing her enjoyable, heartwarming, friendly voice. May you, your family, and Dave find comfort in the midst of grief.
October 12th, 2023 at 4:05 pm
people keep talking about her audiobooks pfft thats not all.
she is a craftswoman too! check out her knetting wonders!
I was hesitant to ask but how far did she go with her chloe baby blanket?
October 14th, 2023 at 7:00 pm
What sad news. I don’t even have words. Kayray made such a great mark on the world and will be missed.
October 16th, 2023 at 2:14 am
My heart goes out to you and your family for your loss. I have been listening to Kara for the past few years and checking the blog every so often. She exuded kindness and the wonderful sparkle of light in her crafts, her readings and her love for the people in her life. I never met her but her warm spirit felt like she embraced all of those who followed her. I knew what a challenging time she was having, and my heart dropped when I saw the sad news post. Losing someone we love so very very much is indescribable. I wish for you strength. Know Kara touched many lives and her time here worthwhile and purposeful. Her love everlasting
October 16th, 2023 at 12:26 pm
Hey! I don’t know your family but I found her recordings while looking for an obscure book I can’t find easily here in South Africa (Bagthorpes). I enjoy listening so much and I’ve been so thankful for the books that I thought I’d pop on here to say thanks for recording them, only to find I was a few weeks too late! She sounds like she was a really sweet homeschool mom. So sorry.
October 17th, 2023 at 3:03 am
We (myself and my two children, Averlee and Eli) have always enjoyed Kara’s reading of many of our favorite books, including This Country of Ours and Our Island Story. Her voice is memorable, understandable, calming and intriguing. We’ll always consider her part of our learning experience and look forward to hearing still her read to us, any time we are able! Thank you, Kara, for blessing so many through your readings. We’ll be praying for your family to be comforted in this difficult time.
October 17th, 2023 at 10:43 am
My kids and I listen to Kara’s voice almost every day as we listen to books that she has narrated on LibriVox. She is our favorite. Thank you Kara. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve passed.
October 24th, 2023 at 2:59 am
I am sorry i have to say this, who cares if shd died “peacfully”? its all biology and everyone react differently, whats important is her work here. There is a lot of stuff she has done that will keep for gdnerations to come indeed.
October 24th, 2023 at 3:33 am
I’m deeply saddened to hear about Kayray’s passing. Her legacy in storytelling and her advocacy for a more compassionate world will live on. Let’s honor her memory by continuing to share stories, nurture the next generation, and make positive changes in the world. My heartfelt condolences to her loved ones during this difficult time.
October 24th, 2023 at 4:14 am
and by keep i mean will delight for generations to come
October 26th, 2023 at 3:07 pm
I ran across Kayray by chance when I got a Mastodon account. It was wonderful to find a fellow fan of the Bagthorpe books! Her writing lets her spirit shine through, and also her huge love for her family. Thinking of you all.
October 28th, 2023 at 4:34 pm
Kara was a very talented reader. Her flow, articulation and diction were flawless and ability to capture the essence of characters made them come alive. I particularly enjoyed her rendition of “Whose Body” by Dorothy Sayers, which I have listened to until the bytes in the file wore through. It was wonderful of her to share her talent with the world. I am sure she was an all round wonderful and multi faceted person. May her spirit be at peace.
Condolences from a fan in British Columbia.
November 1st, 2023 at 5:59 pm
We loved listening to her Betsy Tacy recordings. I am so sorry to hear of this loss.
November 2nd, 2023 at 8:43 pm
I discovered Kayray a few years ago via Librivox. I liked her voice, then on Kayray I liked her mind, her slightly twisted sense of humor, and her strong will. I will miss her.
November 5th, 2023 at 7:52 pm
I’m thoroughly enjoying her reading of Dracula by Bram Stoker. I amsorry to hear of her passing. I look forward to listening to more of her work in the future. She lives in in the stories she’s read.
November 7th, 2023 at 8:06 pm
My daughter and I are so sorry to hear this news. We listened to Kara reading Heidi almost every night for nearly three years! Her voice is so wonderful, and she reads with such deep understanding. Condolences to her friends and family and all the people who knew and loved her work.
November 12th, 2023 at 12:23 am
I’m a librivox listener and love Kara’s readings of the William books. She brought William to life just as I had imagined him in my head when I read these books when I was young. So sorry for your loss but her wonderful legacy will live on.
November 17th, 2023 at 11:35 am
Hi Kara, I just really really feel like I want to say hi to you today. You’re the best niece an aunt could ever hope for. I think of you all the time. I love you ????
November 23rd, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Kayray, I really feel lucky to have known you and i will try all that food you wished to indulge in your name. Thank you for your audiobooks, thank you for your knitting, thank you for your blogs, thank you for sharing a bit of your life. In the morning of thanks giving day i send my thanks to you Kayray
November 25th, 2023 at 6:54 pm
Henry, I first “met” your mother about 18 years ago when I started reading for Librivox. I only recorded for a few years (moved to a neighborhood with too many dogs, and went to nursing school) but Kayray and I stayed Twitter acquaintances, and my family and I always felt like we knew her from her prolific recordings as well. Out of the blue, I was listening to a group librivox recording on Spotify, of all places, and kayray’s voice came on, and I thought to wonder if she was doing OK as I knew her health was up and down. I am so sorry to read of this sad loss, to the world of books and especially for you and your family, Henry. Please know that you are in this stranger’s thoughts this holiday season.
November 29th, 2023 at 9:59 am
My angel, it’s been two months today. We are still here, missing you, and trying to live the lives you hoped for us.
November 29th, 2023 at 10:34 am
Check your texts for your mom’s ?
November 30th, 2023 at 3:48 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss! I have enjoyed Kara’s reading of Gatsby many many times, and it will play in my head for a long time. Thank you Kara, for sharing your gifts with us.
(no need to reply)
December 4th, 2023 at 4:41 pm
I’m very sorry. I’ve been listening to Kay Ray’s reading of The Secret Garden, which I downloaded from Gutenberg a few months ago. It’s been growing on me the more I listen. She was a fine reader. My condolences to her friends and family.
December 4th, 2023 at 7:56 pm
I’m very sad to hear this. I “met” Kara through librivox, and I enjoyed reading her blog updates after I discovered them. You have my deepest sympathy and condolences. She was so special; her voice will live on in the countless stories she read aloud for complete strangers to enjoy. Such selfless kindness is not a thing to take for granted. She will be very much missed.
December 22nd, 2023 at 6:58 pm
So sorry to hear about Kara’s passing. My family listened to just about every recording she made, mostly when we were homeschooling but also beyond. My kids always loved hearing Henry’s questions and comments as part of the readings. She’ll be missed.
December 24th, 2023 at 11:32 am
It is the holidays and a new year is approaching. I have been surfing your site and reading your posts and wanted to share some that I enjoyed:
Christmas 2021
“Everyone loved the hats I knitted. Lulu’s is too small but I’ll fix it when we get to Portland in two weeks! I’ll try to post a pic of Dave in his yellow hat soon. He’s such a cutie. My present from him will be warm clothes when we get to Portland. Snow boots!
We went up north to spend the day with everyone. Had a lovely time. Em gave us one of her drawings in a nice frame, which we love. Kirsten fixed a delicious Christmas dinner. Her mashed potato trick is a whole stick of butter, a glug of milk, and a bit of parmesan cheese. And she uses white rose potatoes for extra creaminess, yummmmm!”
New year of 2014
“Henry and Mom and I are visiting Kirsten and Marcos and Emma Rose and having a wonderful time. We’ve mostly been lazing around in pajamas all day, playing QuizUp, watching a bit of TV, listening to music, and playing with the baby, who is a dear darling adorable 6-month-old squeezable dumpling! I brought along wool to knit her a red-and-white striped cardigan and finished it today, but I have to take it home with me to install a zipper.”
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:23 pm
Hello Henry,
Your mom’s voice will always be Marmee March to me. I’ve listened to Little Women countless times and no one could be a better fit for Marmee. Kara seemed to be a gentle-but-determined woman who loved fiercely and gave much to so many.
I’m so sorry for your deep loss…
March 6th, 2024 at 4:14 pm
I am so sad to hear of Kara’s passing. My condolences to all her family and friends. I found Kayla’s fantastic reading of the Secret Garden on archive.org and have been listening to it every night for the past month. I have been ill for over 10 yrs. I find I am able to fall asleep listening to her voice. I just listen to it over and over. I will listen to some of the others on this website. I do hope you are able to keep her site up here. Your mom was an amazing person Henry. One can tell a lot about a person by listening carefully to their voice. Much love to you.
March 15th, 2024 at 5:54 pm
I am traveling to Switzerland soon and have very much enjoyed, and am still enjoying (almost finished), listening to the audiobook, Heidi. I do appreciate her time to bring my childhood story to life.
So sorry to read that she has passed away recently.
With gratitude
Susan
March 15th, 2024 at 9:55 pm
I am so sorry to hear about Kara’s passing. Her librivox contributions have brightened many hours trudging around our farm. I am sure they will long continue to brighten mine and many other lives. May her memory be a blessing.
March 17th, 2024 at 12:36 am
After I gave birth to twins, I turned to Librivox to listen to audiobooks while I nursed, to keep me awake for some long nights learning to be a new mother. I found Kara’s voice, and I proceeded to listen to anything she had recorded. She got me through those first precious, yet difficult months of parenthood. I could not be more grateful for her contribution to all of us out here… it’s so hard to know how you’ve touched someone’s life. But her voice and beautiful storytelling was there for me during that most tender and, admittedly, incredibly challenging time in my life. I am so very grateful! Thank you, and rest well you generous soul!
April 6th, 2024 at 8:17 am
I’m so sorry for your loss, Henry. Thanks for letting us know, and much love to everyone who loved and is missing Kara.
I found Kayray when I was too ill to read anymore, and her voice was always warm and comforting. I’m so grateful with her for sharing it with us, and for sharing so many stories. :) Because of her I found the lovely Betsy-Tacy series, which became a gift for my niece, who loves reading and writing as much as I always did. Long afterwards I saw her carrying it around in her bag, and it looked so well-read and weathered. She was still talking about the stories. I couldn’t talk to her much anymore, so it meant a lot to share something I loved (the kind of story I’d write for her, if I could) and see her loving it too. Thanks Kayray, for giving us all good memories and being such good company over the years. I’m glad your stories will be still be here, doing just that :)
April 25th, 2024 at 12:33 am
I’m so sorry for your loss. Her recordings were wonderful and made a difference in my life. I corresponded with her a time or two as well. She leaves an important legacy, foremost in her family, but also in her work. Best wishes.
May 2nd, 2024 at 9:41 pm
I am so sorry to hear this news, tho I feel passing on is a cause for celebration not sorrow because she went to such an infinitely better place, but we miss her so much…
Kayray had the most delightful and youthful voice of any reader. She was so great – and if she’s reading this, THANK YOU SO MUCH, KARA!
May 9th, 2024 at 3:39 am
Thu 9 May 2024
Over the years, I occasionally listened to the stories read by Kara. I remember that one story she liked because of the dynamics. Something along the lines of two people giving each other gifts. Person A gave person B a very expensive gift, what person B always wanted. Due to the humor, person B did his best not to be impressed.
Person B gave person A an uncaring gift and person A acted overwhelmed, how they had always wanted that and were so happy and grateful. Again, part of the humor.
I remember, years ago, Kara explaining how she was so very amused by this.
I also remember Kara reading to Henry, now an adult, all those years. She spoke of such often.
I remember Kara had some health issues.
I came here to see what new audiobooks Kara has, and learned she has gone to Heaven.
She will be missed, for she was a good person and her light shone brightly.
She exists, and is home.
Thank you, Kara, for the many hours that I enjoyed your audiobooks. I feel saddened you are no longer here, and feel grateful for the time you were.
One day I hope to hear more stories.
Chrisentiae Saint-Piaf
Melbourne, Australia
PS
Please add some flowers to Kara’s gave on my and others behalf.
June 23rd, 2024 at 1:27 pm
Hey Kayray, it has been a while. So the plan about trying all the food that you wanted to eat is going well. I have had the pizza several times and the rice and bruccoli. Next is maybe the pasta with garlic!.
July 6th, 2024 at 5:17 pm
In addition am also discovering new audiobooks made by you and exploring the ones you recommended and plan to reread The Fortnight in September by R.C. Sherriff, in september, or maybe earlier :] its such a nice read cant thank you enough for it
August 27th, 2024 at 2:15 pm
Happy birthday, dearest Kara <3
September 7th, 2024 at 5:18 am
At least once a year I listen to her reading TH/LOTR. I’m sad thinking about her being gone, but I’m glad to have gotten to know her along with Henry and the bird and later the pesky kitty.
September 11th, 2024 at 1:56 am
I became aware of her when I heard her reading of the Great Gatsby. I was so taken by her reading that I sought her out, and complimented her on her work. She graciously acknowledged the compliment and did so in such a way that it touched me.
Today, I re: downloaded the file to a new phone. Remembering the exchange with her a couple years before I sought her out here to let her know that I was back to enjoy her efforts again…only to find I am almost a year too late. I am sorry.
September 24th, 2024 at 6:38 pm
well she is here with her work of art and presence in other platforms. her blog is a joy to read. there are enough stuff to last for a long time!
October 2nd, 2024 at 9:43 am
Thinking of Kayray and you today. Hope you are holding up. I know grief has no time limit because we will always miss the ones we love. She is a treasure i have relistened to her stories. They are preserved and being newly discovered her legacy lives on. ??
October 13th, 2024 at 10:38 pm
Hey kayray! i have been binge eating homemade colslaws for a whole week now. 1 medium carrot, 3 cups cabbage, splash of sugar and salt, and tiny 3 tbs mayo :× not sure why its very deeelicious!. Oh and it is a new autum season! i am sure your lovely socks and scarfs and what not are warming someone or something somewhere! :)
October 15th, 2024 at 12:11 am
just an addition i forgot to include in the recipe above. a splash of pepper and 1 tsp cider. If your carrots are sweet ebough you can skip the sugar.
The recipe above is an edited one of this one
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/coleslaw/
October 29th, 2024 at 2:37 pm
Our family listened to many a KayRay story from LibriVox on our trips around the US. I was just showing a friend the LibriVox site and our favorite reader and notice the 2023 date for Kara. I am so sorry for your loss. She and the two noisy parakeets will be missed.
October 29th, 2024 at 10:38 pm
The internet archive repository of Kayray’s recordings is back online! \0/
November 9th, 2024 at 8:27 pm
I just saw this post. My deepest condolences! My kids and I listened to many, many hours of Kara reading – we were living abroad for quite a few years, and keeping English alive and well in our family as we were at the same time immersed into another language and culture. Her reading voice will always remind me of that phase in our lives, as we were raising our family. I have recommended kayray reads to you to many family and friends. What a lovely service she offered by reading so much, and sharing it with the world!
December 6th, 2024 at 7:18 am
hi kayray, happy holidays to you and everyone.
December 22nd, 2024 at 7:46 am
Hello kayray how are you doing?
Happy winter season to you. lots of activities around this time of year as you know and of course lots of audiobooks are being produced as well! been listening to the ones you made around this time and enjoying it very much!
March 3rd, 2025 at 8:48 pm
Dear Henry:
I only just learned of your loss just now (March 01 2025), when I went to learn about one of my preferred readers. Time may have dulled your pain, but the weight remains, which brightly reflects her value to the world.
To me, her loss is fresh, and no less jarring than when I discovered that an old mate had died whilst clearing mines for the locals in Afganistan. He’d been gone ten years by then, but the next few days for me in my fresh grief were quite painful
I’m sorry for your loss, but know that what she gave while her presence warmed this planet (and the lives of others) far outweighs any pain we might feel – it simply must, as she was highly valued! I only pray that sharing my discovery may not cause needless pain.
Respectfully,
May 1st, 2025 at 6:36 pm
So sorry to see this just now, condolences. I used to lie down with my son and we’d snuggle and listen to an audiobook for 15 minutes at bedtime (half the time, I’d fall asleep too). Kayray’s Our Island Story was his favorite and we listened to them all many many times. Glad I was able to tell her how much we loved her work. Thank you Kayray.
September 27th, 2025 at 6:45 am
Hi kayray, its been about 2 years now since your last update, but your work is still as great as ever. I still enjoy is along with the other great works in librivox. Thank you again for great stuff that adds positive touch in my life and likely many others as well.
October 4th, 2025 at 4:51 am
The minimum i could do is to say thank you for all those fun audiobooks, it helped me in improving my English so much and not only that also i practiced spelling english words by repeating every word you say out load to the point now i sound like a native english speaker rather i sound like you lol, i owe you a lot
Furthermore I really appreciate and admire your altruistic nature i mean posting all those audiobooks for free.
Much obliged ?? and rest in peace.
April 10th, 2026 at 12:09 am
Hello Henry. Thank you for keeping this website alive. Kara seemed to be wonderful person. She is very fortunate to have you. I pray for you and Kara. Hope you have a wonderful life.
Thanks again.
May 7th, 2026 at 12:18 am
I am listening to The Secret Garden. It is wonderfully narrated and I was interested to find other books narrated by “Kayray” I am sorry to hear of her passing. My children love The Secret Garden. Thank you
October 6th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Hi kayray I still listen to your audiobooks and enjoy going through your knetting peoducts and they all look great. I cant believe its been 3 years
October 12th, 2026 at 2:14 pm
My kids regularly listen to Ms Kara’s readings on Librivox, and I think of her fondly whenever I hear her speaking. She gave us all such a great gift, and I will go on remembering her, just as my kids will.