Karen Y. Corsi

She was born on Nov. 15, 1942, in Silver Creek, N.Y., the daughter of the late Samuel Centanni and Mattea (Matilda) Catalano.

Karen grew up in Dunkirk, N.Y., and graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1960. Karen was incredibly proud of being a Dunkirk Marauder. The years following her graduation, she played a big part in planning every future reunion with and for her classmates. Everyone knew they would have a great time with her planning it all. She would always tell people she was named “Most Talkative” in the senior superlatives and that title fit her to a tee.

Karen was very thankful that she was able to stay at home and raise both of her daughters. She always kiddingly told people the career she chose was being a happy homemaker and loving mother and wife. Once her children were grown, she decided to get her real estate license and sold real estate alongside her husband for almost 20 years.

Karen was a parishioner at Holy Trinity Church for her entire life. She never missed Saturday Mass and you could always find her sitting in her self designated pew. She always prayed and thanked God for giving her such a beautiful and happy life.

She was very big on sending cards, newspaper clippings, words of encouragement, among many other things by mail to her friends. She always wanted to make sure others knew she was thinking of them and cared about them deeply. But, she was most well known for her baked goods and held the title of ‘The Cookie Lady’ proudly. Her banana bread, coffee cakes, and cookies were all her biggest hits with others. She absolutely loved her home and always would tell people they never have to call, they can just drop in and she will have hot coffee and treats for them. She genuinely wanted people to know how much she enjoyed their company and hearing about their life at that moment.

Karen had an especially strong love and devotion to her grandchildren, Max William (her No. 1 man) and Lucie Rae (her Tootie Baby). Max, being the older of the two, spent all of his adolescent and teenage years with his grandma and they had a very strong and special bond. Max never missed one day of being at her home and she taught him how to cook and bake so he can maintain her legacy. She always made sure Lucie Rae had her special times with grandma as well, and they would have so much fun shopping, playing and baking together.

Karen would want everyone to remember her favorite saying “If you can be anything, be kind.” She lived her entire life being kind, loving and genuine to everyone she met. She never had a negative word to say about anyone or anything, and she was always positive and upbeat.

Survivors include two daughters: Melissa Rae (Roger) Herdzik of Dunkirk, and Molly Sue (Darin) Katta of Fredonia; two grandchildren: Max William Corsi and Lucie Rae Katta; one step grandson, Scott Herdzik; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Besides her parents and her loving husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, David Clarke; and one grandson, Matthew William Herdzik.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass which will be celebrated, Friday at 10 a.m. in Holy Trinity Church. Calling hours will be from 3-7 p.m. on Thursday at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Dunkirk Public Library.