Karen Margreta Wood, Philharmonic Society Founder, Dies

Karen Margreta Wood, who helped found the Philharmonic Society of Orange County more than 40 years ago and served as its first executive director, has died of cancer. She was 93.

Wood, a native of Copenhagen who came to Orange County in 1932, died Aug. 21 at her home. She was widely known in the business community for her Scandinavian store, Karen Margreta Imports, which remained open until 1990.

But her most lasting legacy may be her efforts on behalf of the Philharmonic Society. She led a group of volunteers in founding the nonprofit society, which sponsors classical music performances.

“She was responsible for maintaining the operation consistently . . . when the society really operated as a volunteer group, from its beginning in 1954 right up until about 1984,” Dean Corey, executive director of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, said Tuesday. “She gave us the continuity that we can feel very thankful for today.”

Society chairwoman Jane K. Grier said Wood maintained her interest in its affairs until late in life.

“She certainly had a wonderful spirit and must have been continuing her interest in the society because she knew what we were doing,” Grier said. “She did come to one event last year and one the year before.”

Private graveside services in Newport Beach will be Sept. 4.

She is survived by her sister, Eva Kraiberg, of Copenhagen; and four children, Mary E. Kirk of Barboursville, W. Va.; John R. Bruning of Saratoga; Tina Bruning of Huntington Beach; and Karen Tomblinson of Redding.