KarenAnn J. Skorski

KarenAnn J. Skorski, age 67, 201 West First St., Bloomsburg, passed away surrounded by her friends and family at 8:37 p.m. Friday, February 13, 2015 at the Geisinger-Bloomsburg Health Care Center, after a valiant fight with pancreatic cancer. Determined to live every day with gratitude and passion, she made sure to express her attitude for adventure right up until the moment of her passing. She colored her hair vibrant pink, painted her nails pink, and wore a matching pink shirt on her last day.  

Born in Hoboken, N.J. on Wednesday, November 26, 1947, she was a daughter of the late Richard and Janet (Puleo) Giani. She resided in Bloomsburg since 1987.  

Karen emerged as a star student with interests in art, food, history, and philosophy.  For all who knew her, these passions continued throughout her life.  She would discuss these topics at length to help broaden others perspectives of the world, and to help them through challenging times.

She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Bloomsburg where she participated in the Presbyterian Women’s group.

Karen was a devoted mother who did everything in her power to help those around her succeed in whatever they chose to do. A small example of this included reading immense amounts of literature on topics relevant to her friends’ interests, just so she could provide intellectual conversation with them on the topic.

Karen was mesmerized by colors and devoted a significant amount of time to quilting, crochet, and origami.  It was not uncommon to see many vivid patches of fabric or skeins of yarn that were ready to be made into something beautiful.  When it came time for dinner, which always included enough for unexpected guests, she applied the same color philosophy and only declared the meal complete once “all of the food appropriately complemented each other.”  
  
Her spirit of fascination and hunger for learning will live on through her impressive book collection.  This included titles ranging from many different religious perspectives: the history of Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and so forth, to the novels of authors such as Janet Evanovich; and circled back to comic books teaching microeconomics. As anyone who knew her can attest, she had read a book on just about any subject and was happiest when she could engage in friendly intellectual discussion.

All that knew her will have many lasting memories of their interactions.  Most will remember her for her turkey stuffing, sense of humor, generosity, and the ability to see past the surface of every type of situation.  She had an uncanny knack for forgiving others and lived life to its fullest.
  
Karen was preceded in death by a daughter, Margaret Skorski.

Surviving are four children:  Janine Skorski, Stephen Skorski and John Skorski, wife Jen, all of Newton, N.J. and Daniel Skorski, and his significant other, Laura, Richland, Wa.
  
A celebration of life will be held in early August at First Presbyterian Church, Bloomsburg.  Specifics for the celebration will be published at a later date.  

If you have pictures or specific memories of Karen that you would like to be part of the celebration, please post them at www.krinerfuneralhomes.com