Karen M. Dewitt

Karen M. DeWitt Of Susquehanna, PA   Karen M. DeWitt (Nee Dunn) departed this earthly plain on November 23, 2015, after a courageous and inspiring battle against cancer. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded by her family and loved ones, especially her cherished grandchildren Arie and Alex.                 Karen was born on August 14, 1955 to Cyril T. and Rose M. Dunn in Johnson City, NY. She and her family later relocated to Susquehanna PA where she attended St. John’s parochial school and graduated from Susquehanna Community High School. Karen was extremely close to her parents and siblings, John, Tom, Jean, and Paul. Karen was elected homecoming queen in her junior year of high school. After graduating in 1973, she attended the Wilson Memorial School of Nursing from which she graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1976. Karen’s vocation was nursing and she exemplified rare qualities of compassion and concern for her patients.                 On November 27, 1976, she married Myron B. DeWitt and the young couple moved to Auburn, NY where Karen worked at Auburn Memorial Hospital. In the fall of 1977 Karen and Myron moved to Detroit, Michigan where Myron attended Michigan State University School of Law and Karen was employed at Hutzel Hospital in the Oncology and OB/GYN units. There she shared her qualities of empathy and compassion with her patients and formed strong friendships with doctors and nurses with whom she served.                 In 1980 after Myron’s law school graduation the couple moved back to Broome County, NY where Karen was employed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of her alma mater and Myron at the Law Firm of DeWitt and Schneeberg. Again Karen focused her qualities of kind-heartedness and warmth towards her patients, the premature babies and their families.                 In 1981, Karen and Myron were blessed with their first born Lauren and in 1984, with Janine. The family continued living in Broome County until 1985 when they moved home to Susquehanna, PA to be closer to their families. Karen began working in Home Health Care at Barnes Kasson County Hospital. The position proved to be a great fit for Karen’s skills, empathy and compassion, and she ultimately became Director of the Home Health Care Department. Karen’s dedication and selflessness were such that she continued to serve and perform her duties after her diagnosis approximately 5 ½ years up to the present.                 In 2012, Karen was blessed with her first granddaughter, Arie, and in 2014 with a grandson, Alex, children of her daughter Lauren and son in law Joseph. As they lived nearby, Karen savored every opportunity to give them her love and attention. She treasured giving and receiving love from her “little angels.”                 Karen was and is a very spiritual person, who found great solace and enjoyment in her Roman Catholic Faith, particularly her participation in choir and as a Eucharistic Minister. Her strong faith and family support helped her wage her courageous battle which gave us more time with her and will forever inspire us. Her spirit and love will endure in our hearts and minds forever.                 Karen loved family and friends and took great pleasure in organizing and preparing for celebrations, especially cooking for holidays, special occasions, parties and family gatherings. Christmas was her favorite celebration, as a giving person she took great satisfaction in gift giving particularly for the children and in contributing to the St. John’s Giving Tree. She loved decorating, planning and the giving opportunities of the Christmas celebrations. She especially appreciated the opportunity for spiritual renewal.                 Personally and professionally Karen touched and affected many people with her compassion, love and caring. She is survived by her caring siblings John, Tom, Jean and Paul, her loving husband Myron, two lovely daughters Lauren and Jan, and her beloved grandchildren Arie and Alex. A Funeral Mass will be held at the St. John’s Church, Susquehanna, PA on Saturday November 28th, 2015 at 10am with Rev. David Cramer officiating. To celebrate Karen’s life, an Irish Wake will be held at Hennessey’s Funeral Home on Friday November 27th from 2-4pm and 6-8pm.             In lieu of flowers, the family hopes that gifts be made to Lehigh Valley Health Network to continue to support the research and education that gave Karen and her family the gift of time. Checks should be payable to Lehigh Valley Health Network with memo inscription: Cancer Education and Research and mailed to: Development Department Lehigh Valley Health Network 2100 Mack Blvd., 6th Floor Allentown, PA 18105 You may choose to include a note that the donation is made in memory of Karen DeWitt.