Karen (Brown) Johnson

She was born May 12, 1942 in Buffalo to the late Dr. Kent Louis Brown and Elizabeth Myers Brown and raised in Cleveland, OH.

Karen is survived by her longtime companion, Michael Della Rocco; sons Kent Johnson (Gillian Thomson) and Eric Johnson (fiance Elizabeth Walsh); brothers Kent Brown, Jr. (Jody) of Honesdale, PA, David Brown (Sandy) of Westfield, and Garry Brown of Columbus, OH; grandsons Duncan Johnson, Graham Johnson, and Quinn Johnson, along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends who were like family.

Karen was predeceased by her sister-in-law, Susan Brown. She was also the granddaughter of the late Caroline Clark Myers and Dr. Garry Cleveland Myers, founders of Highlights for Children.

Karen graduated from The Hathaway Brown School in Cleveland before earning a bachelor’s degree at Radcliffe College in 1964 and a master’s degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1992.

Karen was a champion of the people of Schenectady throughout her many years of civic engagement and tireless advocacy. She devoted her vast expertise and talents to the betterment of her adopted home and the lives of its citizens.

When Karen moved to Schenectady in 1967, her career in public service started almost immediately. Early on, she devoted her energies to the Schenectady City School District. She was the first woman elected to the Schenectady City Council in 1975, serving as council president from 1980-1983. In 1983, Karen became the first woman to be elected Schenectady’s mayor, serving in the role for two terms and working collaboratively to navigate the city’s severe financial challenges in the 1980s.

In her final year as mayor, she served as president of the New York Conference of Mayors. Karen would later return to her role as an elected official, serving as a member of the Schenectady County Legislature in many capacities from 2001 until her death.

Over her career, Karen was the recipient of numerous awards recognizing her civic and philanthropic contributions. In 2018, she received Schenectady’s highest distinction, the Patroon Award, and she was recognized by the Women’s Fund of the Capital Region as a trailblazer. In March 2019, the Schenectady County Legislature elected to name in her honor the main branch of the Schenectady Public Library, now known as the Honorable Karen B. Johnson Library.

Regardless of her focus — education, the arts, city and county governance, health care, or business — Karen was most passionate about bringing people together for the common purpose of creating innovative solutions to community challenges. She lived her belief that “we learn more by listening to the people that we don’t agree with.” As a trailblazer for women in local government, she valued serving as a mentor and resource to others.

Karen, at once both tenacious and humble, used her flexible and skilled approach as a leader to achieve success in creating change that benefitted everyone. Achieving a positive impact on those around her ultimately served both as her primary motivation and her greatest reward.

Karen’s thoughtful nature, fierce determination and strength, commitment to inclusiveness, and change-maker mentality touched many lives and will be deeply missed.

A graveside service will be held for family and friends at a date to be announced. Burial will be in Westfield Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the YWCA Westfield or a charity of your choice.