Karen Elaine Simmons, 82, of Fishkill, New York, entered into the loving presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.

She was born on March 23, 1942 in Queens, New York to Joseph and Gertrude (Kettner) Simonovics shortly before the family changed its surname. Karen grew up in Gardiner, New York at Ireland Corners where her father operated a gas station. At age 7 Karen became lifelong friends with Alice (Erman) Alper who warmly remembers visiting Karen's home where the girls often baked. For a number of her school years Karen pursued the study of ballet. Karen graduated from New Paltz High School in 1960 and completed a three-year program in nursing at Dutchess Community College. Karen worked at Vassar Brothers Hospital before her long career as a cytology lab technician at Castle Point VA Hospital hand-processing tissue specimens for slides. For several years she was part of a figure skating club. She retired from Castle Point in 1996. Karen volunteered with the activities program at the former Fishkill Health-Related Center in Beacon while her mother resided there. Karen continued bringing cheer to residents there in and out of holiday costume long after her mother's 1994 death until COVID-19 struck. American colonial history, Bible study, and current events were areas of interest for reading and activity. Karen was predecessor by her parents and her brother John of Kingston, NewYork, and is survived by her cousin Peggy Kettner Colquohon in Glen Oaks, New York as well as sweet friends of long acquaintance from work and church.

Karen was a faithful member of First Reformed Church of Fishkill for many years. A funeral service will be held at the church on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 12:30 PM followed by interment in her family's plot at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.

Karen's circle of friends is thankful for the skill, cheer, and attentiveness of staff at Taconic Rehab and Nursing of Hopewell, McHoul Funeral Home, and First Reformed Church of Fishkill. Memorial donations may be sent to the church, the American Lung Association, or the American Heart Association.