KAREN MONTGOMERY

KAREN MONTGOMERY 11/02/1942 - 08/22/2025 Karen Montgomery, 82, of Keuka Park, N.Y., passed away on August 22, 2025. Born November 2, 1942, in Olean, N.Y., she shared not only her birthday but also the same hospital and even the same delivery doctor with her high school sweetheart and later husband, Gary Montgomery. Karen was predeceased by her beloved husband Gary and by her parents, Norman "Pete" and Elizabeth Schussele. She is survived by her three children, Scott Montgomery (Stacey), Jeff Montgomery (Carey) and Kristen Dickinson (Robert); her five treasured granddaughters, Kathryn Montgomery, Caroline Dickinson, Elizabeth Montgomery, Margaret Montgomery and Eleanor Montgomery; and her brother-in-law, Richard (Mary) Montgomery. Karen devoted more than 20 years to Penfield School District, the majority of which she spent teaching fourth grade at Harris Hill Elementary School. She especially loved the units which focused on American history and found joy in the friendships she built with her fellow teachers. A gifted musician, Karen was an accomplished trombone and piano player and a devotee of classical music with WXXI as a morning staple. She was an avid sailor, racing K-boats with her dad at Cuba Lake Yacht Club and was a skilled water skier who made a point of "getting up" behind the boat until late in life. As a second career she begrudgingly yet lovingly helped Gary in managing racetracks in Canandaigua and Dundee, N.Y., as well as a Late Model Race Car Series that ran across tracks in New York and Canada. Karen was an active member of both Penfield, and later, Penn Yan Presbyterian Churches and she enjoyed the simple joys of life: book club gatherings with her friends at Keuka Lake and creating "special little traditions" for her family. Karen was also a stickler for rules, grammar, straight vacuum-cleaner-lines on carpets, and a perfectly organized spice rack. Karen's incredible strength and resilience were apparent to all who knew her. Over the course of 60 years she overcame three different forms of aggressive cancer, always with quiet and steely determination. She will be deeply missed by her family who will forever remember making s'mores around the campfire, her famous pie crusts, the holiday customs she built, and her wonderful stories of a lifetime shared with Gary. A service to honor and celebrate Karen's life will be held at a later date Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Townsend-Wood & Zinger Funeral Home, Penn Yan. To leave the family a memory or a message of condolence, please visit www.townsendwoodzinger.com.