Donna Mason Karlis

1975 - 2017

Donna Mason Karlis

AGE: 42 • Bridgewater

Donna Mason Karlis, 42, of Bridgewater died Sunday at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville.

She attended Saint Michael School in Cranford until fifth grade; Orange Avenue School until eighth; and graduated Cranford High School in 1993.

She attended Seton Hall University, where she graduated with honors with a bachelor of art in education in 1997; and Kean University, with a master's in education.

She worked as a teacher at Bloomingdale Avenue School and Orange Avenue School, both in Cranford from 1998-2009. She taught 2nd and 5th grades, and later became a 6th grade math teacher. She was a parishioner at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church of Bridgewater, where she also served as a catechist for two years; and a class mom, volunteer class photographer, and active member of the PTO at Crim Primary School in Bridgewater.

Donna always had a smile on her face. She lit up the room. She was beautiful inside and out. She had a strong faith in God. She loved her family above all, and always placed her girls first. She was a devoted mother and wife, and loving daughter, sister, niece, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law, cousin and friend. Her friends created a team created in her honor for the annual Susan G. Komen® North Jersey Race for the Cure. Donna's group was named Team ROAR after the popular Katy Perry song because of her resilience. She was named a "forever fighter," and honored at the survivor walk at the race for the past two years. Her bravery, courage, grace and perseverance have served and an inspiration to so many. Her goal was to spread breast cancer awareness beyond the pink ribbons, and specifically about metastatic breast cancer.

She is predeceased by Goddaughter and niece, Alexis "Lexi" Mason of Middletown, who passed in 2013; paternal grandparents Victor F. Mason and Shirley Russel Mason; and maternal grandparents Frank and Donata DeGeorge.

Surviving her are her husband of 10 years Michael Karlis, and daughters Alyssa Marie and Nicole Michelle; parents Robert and Dianne Mason of Howell; brother Robert Jr. and wife Denise Mason of Middletown and their daughters Brianna and Jessica; brother Frank and wife Joanne of Cranford and their daughters Kiera, Goddaughter Tara and Julia. In-laws George and Doris Karlis of Monroe; and brother-in-law George, Jr. and wife Karen Karlis of Branchburg and their children Anthony, Alexander, Gabrielle, Andrew, Goddaughter Collette, and Valerie. Also, several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Viewing will be held Thursday, September 21, 2017 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at the Branchburg Funeral Home 910 US Highway 202 South, Branchburg, NJ 08876. Funeral services will start with a prayer at the funeral home at 9:45am on Friday, September 22, 2017 followed by a 10:30am funeral liturgy at St. Bernard's of Clairvaux Church of Bridgewater, 500 U.S. Highway 202, Bridgewater 08807.

Interment will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery Bridgewater, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Donna M. Karlis Memorial fund, which will be used to facilitate research and awareness of metastatic breast cancer, and encourage young women to pursue a career in education.

Visit www.branchburgfu neralhome.com to send condolences.