Amy Kathleen Carl

Amy Kathleen Carl
April 10, 1980 – January 5, 2025
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Amy Kathleen Carl. Known to many as the “Purple Unicorn” for her uniqueness, vibrant spirit, and resilience, Amy’s life was an extraordinary testament to love, strength, and joy.
She was defined by her life’s central philosophy… “Find your people and love them hard.” She drew people in everywhere she went. Those she loved became her chosen family, and her loyalty was unwavering and unconditional. If she loved you, you knew it! Once Amy brought you into her family, she never let go. She carried her growing family from one chapter of her life to the next – from field hockey teammates and friends at Grafton High School to Tri Delta sorority sisters at Virginia Tech to the friendships and “bubble” cultivated in marriage and motherhood. Those fortunate enough to be loved by Amy experienced something rare and precious: absolute acceptance paired with unwavering loyalty. She protected her people with fierce devotion, turned ordinary moments into special memories, and helped transform life’s darkest times with strength and empathy.
Amy embraced life with an infectious joy and unstoppable determination that touched everyone around her. A brilliant mind paired with a beautiful heart, she graduated near the top of her class at Grafton High School before finding her home away from home at Virginia Tech. Amy found her true calling as a sonographer specializing in high-risk pregnancies, where her gentle touch and compassionate nature brought peace and reassurance to anxious parents-to-be. Her nurturing spirit flowed naturally into her volunteer work at Coventry Elementary School, where she poured her creativity and warmth into helping the children and teachers have the best experience possible. To know Amy was to know what it meant to be truly present in someone’s life – whether she was helping to reveal the first image of a baby’s heartbeat, crafting imaginative projects with elementary school students, or cheering for the Hokies – she brought her whole heart to everything she did.
While her accomplishments were many, Amy’s zest for life was infectious. She found her greatest happiness in spending time with her friends and family at the Outer Banks, making cookies around the kitchen table with friends, or cheering on her daughters, Madison and Mackenzie, as they excelled in field hockey. Her greatest love was her husband Johnny, who she called … “her rock”… “the best decision I ever made.”
Amy is survived by her devoted husband, John Carl; her most beloved daughters, Madison and Mackenzie Carl; her parents, Peter and Patricia Kippie; her brothers, David (Diane) and Kevin (Jennifer) Kippie; her Aunt Dorothy Kippie; her Mother-in-law Robyn Carl and Brother-in-law Ryan (Libby) Carl; and eleven loving nieces and nephews. She is preceded by her grandparents, Robert and Kathleen Carson and Edward and Dorothy Kippie, and her Father-in-law, John Alvin Carl Jr. She also leaves behind her chosen family – those countless friends and loved ones whose lives she touched deeply with her warmth and loving personality.
Amy will be remembered as a light in the lives of all who knew her— a woman whose rare beauty and indomitable spirit truly made her a “Purple Unicorn.” The memory of her love, laughter, and zest for life will remain with us forever.
A celebration of Amy’s life will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, 11 January, at Bethel Manor Chapel (1793 First Street, Hampton, VA 23665). The service will be streamed on Amy’s Facebook page. A reception will follow at The Vanguard in Hampton, VA.
A scholarship in Amy’s name for the Grafton High School Field Hockey Team is being established. Our family would like donations to the scholarship fund instead of flowers. More information on the scholarship will be made available shortly.