Karen Michele Hill Harp Czysz

She spent her final days surrounded by her husband, the love of her life, James Czysz; sons Michael (Heather) Harp and Bren-don (Melissa) Harp; grandchildren Oliver Winters Harp and Madison Jane Harp; brother Brian (Maureen) Hill; and the wonderful doctors and nurses at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL.

Karen was born in Mahopac, NY, the daughter of Ernest and Joan Hill. She graduated from Mahopac High School in 1966 and received her BA in education from SUNY Buffalo. She taught for one year at the Austin Road Elementary School and then moved to Fredonia, New York. After teaching for 34 years in the Jamestown (NY) School District, she retired to Vero Beach (FL).

She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach.

Karen dedicated her life to bringing joy and happiness to everyone she met. Her positive upbeat energy was infectious and undeni-able to anyone who knew her. She especially loved being with family and was most happy when she was with her two grandbabies. She was anxiously awaiting the arrival of her third grandchild, Zoey Michele Melinda.

Besides her husband, brother, two sons and their families, she is survived by her brother, Timothy (Lynn) Hill; and stepchildren Michele Porterfield, Timothy (Jodelle) Czysz, and Jennifer (Brett) Christy and their children Reed Porterfield, Megan and Katie Czysz, and Hannah and Alex Christy. She leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews, and a multitude of friends who will miss her greatly.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, at Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredonia, NY. A luncheon will follow at The Beaver Club, 64 Prospect St. Donations may be made in her memory to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville (philanthropy. mayoclinic.org) or the VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach (foundation.vnatc. com).