Obituary of Karen E. Schmidt

Karen Elaine Schmidt, 65, of Syracuse, NY, passed on December 3, 2023 after a long battle with cancer. Born on June 13, 1958, Karen was predeceased by her loving parents, Bernie and Helen Schmidt. Karen is survived by her dearest Aunt Maureen, Aunt Barbara & Uncle Barry, and her Aunt Helen, all of whom always kept Karen in their prayers and in their hearts. She leaves behind her loving stepmother, Josephine Schmidt, 3 sisters, Anne (Jeff) Fetter, Maureen (Bill) O'Sullivan, Amy (Joe) Shields, 3 brothers, Dan (Monifa), Tim (Nancy), Vince (Renee) Schmidt, her wonderful and supporting friends: Eileen Weisslinger, Jack Driscoll both of Boston; Ann & Steve Elliot-Greenstein, Dave & Lydia Bensher, April & John Bousquet, Tina & Melissa Lesley-Fox, Bill & Lisi Hamilton and girls, Nancy Smith, Candy Jenkins, Sally & Bill Colby, and Rich Collins all of Eastwood, and her dear, dear friends from high school days, Deb Skiff (Ed) Brennan of Skaneateles, NY, Linda Haylor (Joe) Mukula of Trumansberg, NY, and Mary Beth Shumpka of AZ. Karen loved her cousins so very much. Over the years the Toblers (Donnie, Linda, Tom, Marie, Connie, Joey, Matt, Liz, Mark, Amy) Dearstynes (Mary, Larry, Elaine, Anne, Ron), Chases (Beth, Mike, Yoshimi, Kathy, Erik, Susan, Melissa, Everett, Mark, Paco) and Shermans (Patti, John, Lynn, JR) became not just family, but related friends." Karen leaves behind numerous nieces & nephews, and six step siblings.

Karen was a 1976 graduate of Westhill Sr. High. A life long learner, and a 30 year resident of Boston, MA, Karen received her B.A. at the age of 48 from Harvard University, and her MA in Special Education from Lelsey College at age 53. It's never too late!

Boston enabled Karen to experience her love of music, art, travel, and all that a large city offers. She worked at some great companies over her tenure including Wilmer Hale, McKinsey and Co., and General Catalyst before pursuing a teaching role in special education.

Karen's Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, Decemeber 11, 2023 at 10am at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 259 E Onondaga St, Syracuse, NY. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery, Warners, NY.

Karen would appreciate contributions made in her memory to any of the following organizations: Tunnel to Towers (T2T.org), Upstate Cancer Center, EWTN.org or The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, both of whom helped her faith formation continue especially while battling her illness.

Karen would like to be remembered for her humor and laughter especially while sharing good food and drink with the ones she loved most.