Karen Smith

Karen Ellean Smith (nee Hartmann), passed away during the morning of May 11th 2015 at home in Ridgewood, NJ. She was born Karen Ellean Hartmann to Carl and Dorothy Hartmann on September 28th, 1956. Raised in Wallington, NJ, she graduated from Wallington High School in 1974 and then attended, and graduated from, East Stroudsburg University. Shortly following her graduation, Karen proudly became a teacher in her hometown of Wallington. Karen was married on January 15th, 1989 to Paul Smith. Karen’s teaching career was interrupted for an extended period when she lived in Tokyo, Japan and London, England for several years. Karen returned from overseas in late 1999, focusing on her family and friends. Karen then returned to teaching in Wallington in 2005, retiring in 2014. Karen was a loving and devoted mother, wife and daughter, always thinking of others. She touched the lives of countless people with her kindness, concern and generosity. She was dedicated to her church, and served as a Sunday school teacher for several years at First Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood. Her immediate and extended family, and friends, adored her. She fought her illness tenaciously, and even during these struggles, put family and friends first. Her courage was an inspiration to all who knew her. Karen is survived by her husband of 26 years, Paul, daughters Kristen and Alice, parents Carl and Dorothy Hartmann, her brother Robert, sisters in law Janet and Pamela, nephews Daniel and Scott, and niece Emily, as well as countless friends. Karen was predeceased by her brother, Mark. Visiting 2-4 & 7-9pm Thursday, Warner-Wozniak Funeral Service, 80 Midland Ave, Wallington. A funeral service will be held at the Funeral Home, Friday 11AM. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Defeat GBM Research Collaborative http://defeatgbm.org/ Please visit WarnerAndWozniak.com to share condolences with the family.