Princeton - Karen Preservati, age 81, of Princeton, WV, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2026, at her home on Captiva Island, Florida.

Karen was born in Pinoak, WV, June 28, 1944, to the late Cyrus Leroy Nicholson and Blanche Mae Crotty Nicholson.

She was a graduate of Matoaka High School, Matoaka, WV. Post graduation, she was employed as the Weather Girl for our local TV Station, WVVA.

In 1964, she was named Miss West Virginia and represented the State in the Miss USA contest where she was a finalist in the top ten and named Miss Photogenic.

On July 2, 1966, Karen married the love of her life, Dick Preservati. She and Dick dated for 4 years, married for 60 years and were a true example of what love and commitment means.

After marriage, Karen and Dick built a successful business together. Through their success, they were able to give back through contributions to several community and charitable organizations, one being the Karen Preservati Center at the Princeton Rescue Squad on Stafford Drive in Princeton. Karen was also instrumental in getting the Glenwood Junior High School football program established back in the 1980's. Karen was a loving wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister and friend who had such a loving spirit that she always wanted to give and do for others. She would often send cards and notes of encouragement to all she loved.

She was preceded in death by her brother Bruce Coldiron and granddaughter Caroline Preservati.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Dick, and their three children, Ritchie Preservati (Holly), of Princeton, WV, Gina Boggess (Timm) of Princeton, WV, and Nick Preservati (Chrissy) of Huntington, WV; grandchildren, Danielle, Hannah, Joseph, Madeline, Atticus (AJ), Sadie, Julia and Jackson; great-grandchildren, Kaden, Theo, Benjamin, Henry, Miles and Paisley; siblings, Lowell, Jerry, Jimmy, Rita, Barry and Sheri; sister-in-law, Delores; brother-in-law, Chuck, and many cousins and extended family.

Sincere thanks and appreciation go out to the many Caregivers and Hospice workers who provided loving and gentle care during her final days.

A funeral service to celebrate Karen's life will be conducted at 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the First Baptist Church, 1116 Mercer St. in Princeton, WV, with Rev. Dan Jividen and Very Rev. Father Sebastian Devasya, V.E. officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princetopn. Visitation will be at the Church on Monday, June 15, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and one hour prior to service on Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, 33 Medical Center Dr., Morgantown, WV 26505 or Tender Mercies Ministries, 4001 West Main St., Princeton, WV 24740. Online condolences may be made by visiting seaverfuneralservice.com