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Karen Gatanis Obituary
Karen G. Gatanis, 57, of Bethlehem, passed away on February 4, 2014 at the Hospice House of St. Lukes surrounded by her family. Karen was born in Allentown, daughter of the late Gus and Mary (Kaplangis) Gatanis. She was a waitress at The Main Street Depot for over 30 years, and most recently employed at Moravian Village. Karen was a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Bethlehem. She graduated from Liberty High School in 1974 and volunteered at the Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley. Survivors: Daughters, Eulalia Diaz, wife of Martin of Allentown and Maria Diaz of Allentown; sister Georgea Ferrante, wife of Mark of Phoenixville; brother Nicholas Gatanis, husband of Sandra of Bethlehem Township; three grandchildren, Makayla, Marlia and Martin; nephew James Ferrante, nieces Marianna and Alexis Gatanis, her aunt Esther Alatzas of Baltimore, MD, and her loyal furry companion Kiki, as well as many uncles, aunts and cousins. Services: Funeral Service on Thursday, February 13. 2014 at 11 a.m. in the John F. Herron Funeral Home, 458 Center at Market Street in Bethlehem. There will be a viewing on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Funeral Home. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Allentown. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in care of the Funeral Home, Hospice House of St. Lukes or to the American Cancer Society, also in care of the Funeral Home.
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Memories and Condolences
for Karen Gatanis
Art and Janet Metzger
February 5, 2015
You are in our hearts and thoughts.
February 3, 2015
- Feb. 26, 1956 - February 4, 2014 -
My beloved sister, Karen,
I thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.
I thought of you yesterday, and days before that, too!
I think of you in silence, as I often speak your name.
I have such wonderful memories of you and your picture in my frame.
Your memory is my keepsake, with which I'll never part.
God has you in His keeping, and I'll always have you in my heart!
Keep them smiling....and until we meet again, I will continue to miss and love you!
Priyanka Zutshi
March 4, 2014
You have touched my life for the past 4 years and I will always remember you. Thank you for everything, for lightening up my day when I would come visit you even with everything else going on. I have grown and become a better person since I met you. My best wishes to you and your family.
February 13, 2014
Karen,
As your cousin (by marriage), you always made me feel like family. You loved everyone and made everyone feel important to you. I will miss your sense of humor and your phone call on my birthday which you never forgot! You have touched so many people with your love, thoughtfulness and caring spirit and I hope you will continue to watch over us from above.
Love you,
Polly Alatzas
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Mary Lou Lewis
February 11, 2014
Sincere condolences to Karen's family. You were a joy to be around. R.I.P.
Karen DePaul
February 11, 2014
I was so sad to hear Of Karen's passing. I am so glad I had the absolute pleasure of working with her at the Depot. She was a wonderful woman and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family as they go through this difficult time. May God Bless and be with you.
Jeanette Berdell
February 11, 2014
Maria, So sorry for the loss of your Mother. It's a tuff loss I know but just remember she is watching you from above. You and your family are in my prayers.
Marty Schumacher
February 11, 2014
Karen often waited on my family when we'd eat at the Depot. She was great, always joking and fun. She used to hide my daughter's beanie babies - it was great of her to play with my little girl. So sorry to hear of her passing. My condolences, from me and the Litsch & Schumacher families.
February 11, 2014
Oh Karen how I miss you already. There are so many of us who watched you battle and admired your strength and courage. I will always look up to you and remember your strength at such difficult times. BUT I have a lot of good memories when you were making us laugh and giving us all the love you had. We will always love you. I know you are resting peaceful with so many of our loved ones. Please look after us like you always have - but now from above.
Jackadoo as you lovingly call Jack - and Karendoo as Jack referred to you - he will always be looking up to you for weather advise - haha.
miss you like crazy - with all our love ANNA, Richard and Jackadooo!!!!
February 11, 2014
Dear Maria, Layla, Martin and Family,
My deepest condolences at this time. Be strong knowing that she will never truly leave us. She will live on in our hearts and memories!
Karen was always so giving - doing for others! Karen was always the best at telling jokes too! Both these traits resulted in making people smile! That is how I will remember her! (Not to mention her awesome laugh!)
I enjoyed working with her at the Depot. She will be missed.
I wish you all strength at this time!
Continue to make her proud! She was truly proud of you all!
Love and Hugs, Mary Smith
CAROL ARMELLINO HENDERSHOT
February 10, 2014
Georgea,Nick & family,
I am saddened by this news.Karen was such a free-spirit.Lovely personality & all round nice person.She was our best waitress at The Depot.My sincere condolences are with you at this time. Karen will be missed and know she is out of her pain. :( Georgea ,I want us to get together, but not this way--I miss you my friend!
Dee Jowder
February 10, 2014
Georgea, Mark, Jimmy and all of Karen's family,
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved Karen. She fought a long, hard fight and is now at peace.
I wish you all strength and comfort in the days ahead as you adjust to life without her. Her spirit lives on in each of you!
You will be in my prayers.
betty brandon
February 10, 2014
Karen you will be missed by so many people you've left lots of memories in our hearts I thank God for having you as a friend.rip and join God and your family.and watch your children down here show you they can achieve anything in their lives.and honor your memory forever,you are a very dear friend of mine.I also want to send my condolence to your family and friends.till I see you again Karen I love you. You'll always and forever be in my heart.
Maria Diaz
February 10, 2014
Mom I miss you so much...everything has changed for me...your not down the street any more...your phone calls...home check popins I miss all of that...your voice would be so calming right now...I lovr you and most of all your not hurting or suffering anymore..rest in paradise and watch me bloom into something youll be proud of...I love you my kikster
Danielle Koch
February 9, 2014
Karen was a wonderful woman whose laugh could brighten anyones day. I know she will be deeply missed by many. She fought a good fight and it gives me comfort in knowing she is resting in paradise now. She was truly loved and I'm sure in her last days she Really knew how much. My condolences to the whole family.
The Ferrante Family
February 9, 2014
Georgea, Mark & Jimmy,
You have been in our thoughts and our prayers. Our deepest sympathy to you and all of Karen's family. May she rest in peace.
Love Jim, Dawn Sydney,and Francesca
February 9, 2014
Karen will always remember the memories of you, and how kind and thoughtful you were.
We met and you took me under your wing, being a stranger in town meant a lot to me.
I know we will meet again on the other side and we will continue our journey together.
Love and miss Pammy from Boston
Jennifer Diodoardo-Frantz
February 9, 2014
To the Gatanis Family.... I had the pleasure of working with Karen at Moravisn Village! I would see her every morning and exchange the friendliest hellos and conversation with her through out the day! She always made me laugh with something witty she had said! My thoughts and prayers are with your family at the difficult time.
With love, Pixie Pozza
February 9, 2014
Karen has been a treasured friend to me and to the rest of us from the barn (our apartment building). We met when we were all invincible 20-somethings and our kids were pre-schoolers. We have continued our friendship ever since. Karen and I spent a lot of time reminiscing over the past couple of years, and I will truly miss her laugh, her love and her presence in my life. My deepest sympathy to Lalia, Maria and the rest of her family. She was one of a kind. Peace, my friend.
Terry Kloiber LHS'74
February 8, 2014
My sympathy to all of Karen's family on her passing. I knew Karen in school, and would see her at the Depot once in a while.
God bless,
Maryann Beahn
February 8, 2014
I knew Karen when I worked at First Star Bank she was always so nice and friendly. I am sorry to read of her death
February 8, 2014
Nick, Georgea and families,
I am so sorry to hear about Karen. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Marianne Prosperi
February 8, 2014
I met Karen though Nick in high school. I remember hanging out on 2nd Ave., WOW we had some great times back then. I got reunited with Karen recently and always enjoyed our chats on the phone. Her laugh always made me smile. She always spoke of her family. Oh how she loved them. She fought so hard for so long. May she rest comfortably in peace now. Our sympathy to Nick and Sandy, Georgea and Mark.
All our love,
Scott and Dawn James
Art and Janet Metzger
February 8, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.
Len Bast
February 8, 2014
To Nick and family--
Very sorry for the loss of your sister, Mom, Aunt, Grandmother. Heaven has gained another fighter of this terrible disease and my hope is one day those who fought the battle now will help win the war for the future. I am sure Karen will be deeply missed but never forgotten. May she rest in Peace.
February 8, 2014
Georgea and Nicky, thinking of you during this difficult time and praying for peace and comfort. Karen was always very kind to me when I came for the summers to 2nd Ave. I was your summer neighbor. I will always remember Karens infectious smile and always happy to see her when the John's family would have a party. I'm not sure if you would remember me Nicky but I know Georgea will. Both of you girls were like my adopted cousins. My best days were of my days on 2nd Ave with my cousins and you guys. God bless you always. Darla Jones Carey (Joyce's niece)
Cara Butz
February 8, 2014
To Karen's family,
I am so sorry to hear of her passing. She always brought a smile to my face when ever she came to see me. She loved to tell jokes and that is exactly how I will remember her. She fought hard and gave it all she had. Please know that she is no longer suffering. Her spirit will always be with us, but she will be greatly missed.
Pete Alatzas
February 8, 2014
I will never forget my cousin Karen's beautiful smile. She made an impact on everybody that she met, especially her family taking care of us more than they we realized. She never thought about herself and was only worried about everyone else. All her pain and suffering is now gone, may you rest in peace.
I love you.
Pete
Deb Bianco
February 8, 2014
Lalia and family: When God calls His children home, His angels come to take them by the hand, leading them along a place of peace and light. As the Lord welcomes your Mother home to perfect peace, may He also comfort you and lead you through your sorrow. My deepest sympathy to you and yours.
Libby Z
February 8, 2014
To Lela, Maria and the Gatanis family,
Karen was a very special person. You could always count on her when you needed her. She will be deeply missed.
May her memory be eternal.
With deep and heartfelt sympathy,
Libby
February 8, 2014
Karen - Life's journey to the grave is not intended to arrive safely in a well persevered body. But rather the plan is to skid in sideways, totally worn out, thoroughly used up and loudly proclaiming WOW WHAT A RIDE.
I'm sure you had quite the ride with your family and many friends. I for one am grateful to have known you and appreciate that you were very nice to me all thru Jr. and Sr. High School.
Always enjoyed having you as our waitress that the Depot and loved your smile when we talked about the 'old' days.
Keep smiling that great smile you have and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Laura Barker - LHS '74
Esther Alatzas
February 8, 2014
How I will miss the phone calls hearing your voice and letting me know how you are doing. I have fond memories as you were growing up and visiting me brought me so much joy. You were always very thoughtful of others and cared about everyone you in came touch with. I will truly miss you and always love you. May god bless your soul.
Love
Thea Esty
Nick Gatanis
February 8, 2014
In loving memory of my big sister.
You made me laugh, cry and angry at times but I always loved you. You touched the lives of so many people you knew and those you didn't know. You worked hard for many years and never asked for help. I will always remember the ways I would annoy you with my comments and the way you would say "hellooo" when you called and asked where I was and what I was doing? I would always refer to Georgea, you and I as the three musketeers or were we more like the three stooges? We always laughed at it. Now we are crying and will miss our third team member. There will be an empty chair this year during the holidays and you will be greatly missed but not forgotten. You fought a good fight and were so brave knowing what challenges were ahead of you. I am so proud and I admire you for this. Rest in peace my big sis. You do not have to suffer anymore. You are now in a better place with Mom, dad, YiaYia and so many other family members and friends. I am so proud to have you as my big sister. I love you!! With all my Love, Nicky
Andrew Bayer
February 8, 2014
A sad day she was loved by many,and will be missed Karen worked and fought hard for everything.rest in peace.
Paul Knecht
February 8, 2014
Nick Gatanis, so sorry to hear you lost your dear sister. Rest in peace Karen. Please accept my profound condolences. A friend of the past, Paul Knecht
Helen Beckwith
February 8, 2014
I met Karen at the Main Street Depot many years ago and I remember her as very kind and helpful and such a hard worker. I always looked forward to seeing her because she brightened my day. I ran into her again at Moravian Village and she had told me that she was ill. My condolences to her daughters--I am sure she will be missed by all who knew her. A part of my heart misses Karen and I really did not know her personally. She was a good woman.
John Ferrante
February 8, 2014
Georgea, Mark and Jimmy,
Thinking of you often during this difficult time. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Love,
John
Dana Grubb
February 8, 2014
To Karen's Family,
I would run into Karen regularly, and particularly enjoyed having her as a waitress when she worked at the Main Street Depot. Her witty tell-it-like-it-is personality was a real treat. The last time I spoke with her was when she was outside of Moravian Village and she had told me that she was having a health issue. I didn't know it was this serious. I am greatly saddened to read of her passing and extend my deepest sympathy to all of you for your loss.
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