Aberdeen School District orchestra director Karen Meikle died Thursday, according to the district office. Meikle, orchestra director since 2007, had been diagnosed with cancer in June.

“Karen was one of the most positive people I’ve ever known and a beloved member of our school community,” Superintendent Alicia Henderson said. “In addition to sharing the gift of music with our students, she had a true love for young people and made a difference in the lives of our students.”

Meikle obtained her bachelor’s degree in music performance in 1979 from California State University at Fullerton and went on to become a professional violinist, playing with symphonies throughout the western United States, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and South America.

When she returned to Fullerton to earn her K-12 teaching credential as a strings specialist she received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Music Education in 1991 and was the university’s Student Teacher of the Year in 1992.

She taught mostly in the Midwest before coming to the Aberdeen School District in 2007 to accept the position of elementary/secondary orchestra teacher where “she revitalized the program,” according to the school district statement. “Miss Meikle had been encouraged to consider relocating to Grays Harbor by violinist Debra Akerlund of Aberdeen, who has graciously been teaching the orchestra classes during Miss Meikle’s illness.

Meikle maintained a busy performance schedule. In 1990, she became a violinist with the Britt Festival Orchestra in Jacksonville, Oregon. In 2003, she was honored with a chair endowment. Meikle was a featured soloist and the concertmaster for the Grays Harbor Symphony under the direction of Dr. William Dyer.

“Karen was a warm, generous person who rewarded us with her time, talent, and spirit,” Dyer said. “Karen played the violin with warmth of tone and precision. She led the orchestral strings with unceasing kindness.”

Karen had a rehearsal mantra: “Again… but better!”

“We will carry this mantra forward, for we are forever grateful for the time she shared with us,” Dyer said. “Her Harbor music community, her music family, and her students feel her loss deeply.”

Arrangements are pending, according to the school district statement. Her family said she expressed the wish that in lieu of flowers, she would appreciate donations to the Grays Harbor Symphony, care of Dr. William Dyer, or donations to the J.M. Weatherwax High School Orchestra. More information will be shared as it becomes available.