Karen A. Kelley

After a brief illness our beloved baby sister, Karen passed away suddenly on May 2, 2026, with family by her side.

Karen was a kind, generous sister and aunt who always relished gatherings with family for holidays, for life’s celebrations and for trips to the Jersey shore. Simple pleasures – bird watching, a good cup of coffee, a jigsaw puzzle, a good movie were all Karen needed; especially if she was sharing them with “the love of her life” – her Greg.

Karen treasured the years she had with Greg. Before Greg became ill, they loved nothing more than to meet up with their motorcycle (mostly Harley-Davidson) friends. These friends became Karen’s second family. And Karen would tell you that Greg and his buddies passed on to her their enjoyment of motorcycling and the freedom of being on the open road.

Karen was born in Nazareth Hospital, in Northeast Philadelphia, on April 12, 1962, to John and Rita (Ciliberti) Kelley. Karen’s family moved to Flourtown, PA in 1969 where she attended Ancillae-Assumpta Academy in Wyncote, PA and St. Genevieve School in Flourtown, PA. There Karen met some of her most cherished friends. Karen went on to attend Springfield High School.

Karen’s working career included joining the family ocularist practice, John J. Kelley Associates of Philadelphia and Fort Washington as a lab technician and secretary/receptionist. She remained a vital and valuable employee for many years assisting in every aspect of the business. Many patients found Karen’s kind and caring touch a blessing.

Karen also worked for a time at RSR Industries, Inc. in Warminster, where she refined her skills at engraving. Her meticulous attention to detail proved essential.

But those who knew and who were loved by Karen were deeply touched by her most special skill – her gift of empathy. Her genuine desire to help alleviate others’ distress was evident in her actions. Her tender care of our Dad, our brother, Paul and the love of her life, Greg was a wonderful expression of her best self.

She is survived by her siblings and their spouses: John and Christine Kelley, Rita and Robert Schmidt and Kevin and Robin Kelley. Karen is also survived by her nieces and nephews and their spouses: Brian Kelley, Lisa and Barry Bova, Kelley and Patrick Flynn, Rob and Cristie Schmidt , Colleen Kelley-Frawley and Michael Frawley, Julianne Kelley Price and Justin Price, Kevin, Jr. and Michelle Kelley, Jr. and by 8 great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to her parents and Greg, Karen was preceded in death by her brother Paul Kelley.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 22, 2026, St. Genevieve Church, where relatives and friends will be received from 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM.  Interment to take place immediately following mass at St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont PA. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Karen’s memory to any organization that is near and dear to your heart.