As we're all gathered here to celebrate the life of Karen Lorane Johnston Stark, I couldn't imagine a better spot to be standing than right here next to the tree she had planted on her favorite golf course in honor of her ex-husband Bill who, as providence would have it, died 25 years ago today on August 5th, 1997.

To those who knew her, it should be no surprise that Karen was an active member of the church, the club or anything else she was involved in.

Karen was not only the seven time winner of the Ladies Championship (that's coincidentally being played here today), but also a regular contributor to the many golf balls frequently deposited right across the street in the front yard of our former pastor Dudley Rose.

In fact, while hitting balls down the hill at the Club's driving range, she often liked to precede a big drive with "let me see if I can put one in Dudley's yard."

So, as we gather at this figurative and literal intersection of Karen's faith in community and... Read more drive to pursue her passions, we wanted to shine a light on her journey and a life well lived and loved.

Here are just a few of the many chapters in the life of our amazing Mom…

Karen was the daughter of Ray Johnston and Gladys Conner whose families played important leadership roles in the community - including the founding the Ellwood City Iron & Wire Company and A.E. Conner & Sons... as well as supporting numerous organizations, events, and initiatives.

Never one to sit still... in highschool Karen was very involved as head cheerleader, homecoming queen and student government - even serving as a page at the 1960 GOP Presidential Convention where her Mother Gladys was one of the first female delegates from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

After highschool, Karen followed in her mother's footsteps to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh majoring in Biology and later graduating from Chamberlain College in Boston, MA.

After college she and her best friend Gig set off on an epic adventure and drove their Volkswagen bug across the country to pursue her California dream working for Ogilvy & Mather Advertising In San Francisco. A few years later at a Young Republicans meeting she met and later married her ex-husband Bill - beginning the next chapter of her life building a family in Boston, Pittsburgh, Ellwood, and later Baltimore raising their three children Bryan, Chad and Samantha.

As her children began building lives of their own, Karen started an exciting new chapter as a successful real estate agent in Bel Air Maryland and later Palm Harbor Florida where she moved to enjoy the warm weather, be closer to her brother Beau and meet her second husband Neil.

It was there that Karen happily embraced her next chapter and new role as "Auntie Karen" to Beau's young daughter Jasmine Karen Johnston who she raised like her own daughter - later stepping in as Jasmine's guardian when her brother passed away in 2016.

Around this time Karen, Jasmine, Frankie & Noodles moved to Maryland to be closer to family with Bryan & Matt in Baltimore and Samantha & Sean nearby in Washington.

While a significant change of lifestyle, Karen jumped right into getting Jasmine situated at Roland Park Middle School, setting up their new home, reconnecting with old friends in Bel Air and making new ones (2-legged and 4-legged) in her new Cross Keys Community.

In fact, on Karen's memorial website there is a lovely comment from one of her neighbors sharing how much their family enjoyed her regular visits to see their two tiny dogs after Karen's beloved Frankie passed away at the start of the pandemic.

During this time Karen and Jasmine were able to spend a lot more time with family - including numerous family events, a weekly family dinner with Bryan and Matt, and multiple family vacations to NYC, Deep Creek, MD, and in the Summer of 2021 a trip back to Elwood City to see her hometown and proudly stand in front her 7 winning plaques as Ladies Golf Champion at the Connoquenessing Country Club between 1973 & 1983.

In Baltimore, Karen enjoyed walking with friends and Frankie, driving by horse farms, watching birds and baseball (whether the local highschool team or the Orioles at Camden yards), visits to the National Aquarium, and going out for Maryland crabs and seafood with friends & family.

And Karen always looked forward to going to Roland Park Presbyterian Church on Sunday - particularly when it was followed by brunch at Miss Shirley's for decaf coffee and banana stuffed french toast.

While Karen's final chapter was particularly challenging navigating dementia and other health issues during the pandemic, her family provided the support she needed to keep her safe and healthy while continuing to live independently as long as possible. Karen eventually moved back to her beloved Florida into a facility near her son Chad and his partner Jairo who always enjoyed taking Mom out to eat, shop; and enjoy nature whether strolling on the beach or feeding the birds at the local park - her all-time favorite activity.

Throughout it all, her curiosity about the world, drive to get things done, and mischievous nature never faded and made every moment memorable, meaningful, and remarkably Karen Lorane Stark. Read less

As we're all gathered here to celebrate the life of Karen Lorane Johnston Stark, I couldn't imagine a better spot to be standing than right here next to the tree she had planted on her favorite golf course in honor of her ex-husband Bill who, as providence would have it, died 25 years ago today on August 5th, 1997.

To those who knew her, it should be no surprise that Karen was an active member of the church, the club or anything else she was involved in.

Karen was not only the seven time... Read more winner of the Ladies Championship (that's coincidentally being played here today), but also a regular contributor to the many golf balls frequently deposited right across the street in the front yard of our former pastor Dudley Rose.

In fact, while hitting balls down the hill at the Club's driving range, she often liked to precede a big drive with "let me see if I can put one in Dudley's yard."

So, as we gather at this figurative and literal intersection of Karen's faith in community and drive to pursue her passions, we wanted to shine a light on her journey and a life well lived and loved.

Here are just a few of the many chapters in the life of our amazing Mom…

Karen was the daughter of Ray Johnston and Gladys Conner whose families played important leadership roles in the community - including the founding the Ellwood City Iron & Wire Company and A.E. Conner & Sons... as well as supporting numerous organizations, events, and initiatives.

Never one to sit still... in highschool Karen was very involved as head cheerleader, homecoming queen and student government - even serving as a page at the 1960 GOP Presidential Convention where her Mother Gladys was one of the first female delegates from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

After highschool, Karen followed in her mother's footsteps to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh majoring in Biology and later graduating from Chamberlain College in Boston, MA.

After college she and her best friend Gig set off on an epic adventure and drove their Volkswagen bug across the country to pursue her California dream working for Ogilvy & Mather Advertising In San Francisco. A few years later at a Young Republicans meeting she met and later married her ex-husband Bill - beginning the next chapter of her life building a family in Boston, Pittsburgh, Ellwood, and later Baltimore raising their three children Bryan, Chad and Samantha.

As her children began building lives of their own, Karen started an exciting new chapter as a successful real estate agent in Bel Air Maryland and later Palm Harbor Florida where she moved to enjoy the warm weather, be closer to her brother Beau and meet her second husband Neil.

It was there that Karen happily embraced her next chapter and new role as "Auntie Karen" to Beau's young daughter Jasmine Karen Johnston who she raised like her own daughter - later stepping in as Jasmine's guardian when her brother passed away in 2016.

Around this time Karen, Jasmine, Frankie & Noodles moved to Maryland to be closer to family with Bryan & Matt in Baltimore and Samantha & Sean nearby in Washington.

While a significant change of lifestyle, Karen jumped right into getting Jasmine situated at Roland Park Middle School, setting up their new home, reconnecting with old friends in Bel Air and making new ones (2-legged and 4-legged) in her new Cross Keys Community.

In fact, on Karen's memorial website there is a lovely comment from one of her neighbors sharing how much their family enjoyed her regular visits to see their two tiny dogs after Karen's beloved Frankie passed away at the start of the pandemic.

During this time Karen and Jasmine were able to spend a lot more time with family - including numerous family events, a weekly family dinner with Bryan and Matt, and multiple family vacations to NYC, Deep Creek, MD, and in the Summer of 2021 a trip back to Elwood City to see her hometown and proudly stand in front her 7 winning plaques as Ladies Golf Champion at the Connoquenessing Country Club between 1973 & 1983.

In Baltimore, Karen enjoyed walking with friends and Frankie, driving by horse farms, watching birds and baseball (whether the local highschool team or the Orioles at Camden yards), visits to the National Aquarium, and going out for Maryland crabs and seafood with friends & family.

And Karen always looked forward to going to Roland Park Presbyterian Church on Sunday - particularly when it was followed by brunch at Miss Shirley's for decaf coffee and banana stuffed french toast.

While Karen's final chapter was particularly challenging navigating dementia and other health issues during the pandemic, her family provided the support she needed to keep her safe and healthy while continuing to live independently as long as possible. Karen eventually moved back to her beloved Florida into a facility near her son Chad and his partner Jairo who always enjoyed taking Mom out to eat, shop; and enjoy nature whether strolling on the beach or feeding the birds at the local park - her all-time favorite activity.

Throughout it all, her curiosity about the world, drive to get things done, and mischievous nature never faded and made every moment memorable, meaningful, and remarkably Karen Lorane Stark. Read less