Karen Sue Fire

Struthers - Karen Sue Fire, 79, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 24, 2025, at her home.

Karen was born on December 21, 1945, in Brownton, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Robert and Ada (Snyder) Tait. She moved to the Mahoning Valley as a child and graduated from Campbell Memorial High School before attending Youngstown College.

Karen spent much of her working life as a clerk for several retail stores in the Youngstown area, most recently at Kohl's at the Shops at Boardman Park, before retiring. She was a devoted member of Christ The Good Shepherd Parish-St. John the Baptist Church in Campbell.

A talented baker, Karen was known for her delicious clothespin cookies and kolache. She also had a deep love for nature and enjoyed spending time outdoors, where her green thumb shone brightly in her beautiful flower gardens. Her family and friends will always remember her generosity, especially her devotion to them. She treasured time spent with her children, grandchildren, and grand dogs, and she especially enjoyed babysitting and sharing in the lives of her grandchildren.

She will always be remembered as a strong minded woman that was a guiding light, a moral compass and a woman who always put her family before herself. Never asking for help, but always there to help others.

Karen is survived by her four children, Susan K. (Anthony) Elmo of Canfield, OH, Joseph W. (Ann) Fire of Lowellville, OH, Patricia L. (Mike) Fire of Struthers, OH, and Lynda S. Fire of Struthers, OH; three grandchildren, Katie (Andrew Testa) Nail, Jessica (Frank Rondinelli) Nail, and Harry Murray; two great-grandchildren, Christopher Fisher and Stella Testa; two sisters, Dorothy Gender of Struthers, OH, Kathy Boss of Butler, PA; and her sister-in-law, Alice Tait of Struthers, OH.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 19 years, Harry C. Fire, whom she married on July 31, 1965 and who passed away on February 23, 1984; a brother, Robert Tait; and three sisters and brothers-in-law, Ann (Ed) Brower, Peg (Robert) Tingler and Betty (Jack) Gender.

Family and friends may call on Sunday, March 2, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Monday, March 3, 2025, from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at Davidson-Becker Funeral Home, 11 Spring Street in Struthers. There will be a prayer service on Monday at 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at Christ The Good Shepherd-St. John the Baptist Church, 159 Reed Street in Campbell, with the Reverend Fr. Thomas Kraszewski officiating. Interment will follow at St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Lowellville.

Karen will be missed endlessly!

The family asks that you visit www.beckerobits.com to share memories and condolences.