Karen Ann Curry, 71, of Neversink
Karen Ann Curry passed away on Sunday, April 15, 2018, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Karen was the daughter of the late Alice M. (Williams) Kelder and Francis C. Brown. She was born in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y., on Nov. 28, 1946. Her early years were spent with grandparents Laura and Norman Williams and her Aunt Harriet (Mulligan) Van Kleeck in Rosendale, N.Y. As a teenager, she moved to Grahamsville, N.Y., and eventually made her home in Neversink, N.Y., with her husband, Robert Curry, and their three children. Karen graduated in 1964 from Tri-Valley Central School in Grahamsville, N.Y., and attended SUNY Cortland, majoring in English and Physical Education. She left after two years of college to be with Bob when he enlisted in the Navy. Before returning to Neversink, they lived in Mississippi and Pennsylvania during his service, which included a tour in Vietnam. Karen loved her family and would do anything in the world for them. They were her life. Karen spent many years taking care of her mother, Alice Kelder, until her passing in 2016. When not taking care of others, her favorite pastimes were taking the family to Broadway shows in New York City, hiking with her family at the Mohonk Mountain House, and lunch in New Paltz. She also loved reading, feeding the many birds, watching the bears and cubs in the backyard, and taking care of her home on Mutton Hill.
Over the years, Karen was also very active in her community. She was a Little League girls softball coach and scorekeeper, as well as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. She loved giving guitar lessons, chaperoning school trips and planning Fun Day at Tri-Valley School. She was also involved in her church, playing guitar for church services, leading a teen Bible study and teaching Sunday school.
Karen is survived by her husband of 51 years, Robert Curry; her three children, Kimberley Edwards and her husband Nial of Neversink, N.Y., Jeffrey Curry and his wife Gretchen of Rio Rancho, N.M., and Daniel Curry and his wife Kristina of Springfield, Va.; her grandchildren, Jacob Edwards, Brian Edwards, Evan Edwards, Madison Curry, and Hanna Curry; her sister, Kathleen Cuccia and her husband Frank of The Villages, Fla.; brother-inlaw, Donald Curry and his wife Diana; sister-inlaw, Virginia Wagner and her husband Robert; sister-in-law, Audrey Curry; her aunt, Mildred, of Belton, Texas; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her special friend, Carolyn Schumm.
She was predeceased by her stepfather, Gilbert Kelder; stepsisters, Eulalia Priest and Judith O’Sullivan; stepbrothers, Ernest Kelder and Gilbert Kelder Jr.; and brotherin-law, Raymond Curry.
Donations in Karen’s name can be made to Vine and Branch Church, 2535 State Route 52, Liberty, N.Y. 12754, or to Orange Regional Medical Center Oncology Unit, 707 E. Main St., Middletown, N.Y. 10940.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 state Route 52, Woodbourne, N.Y. 12788. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at Vine and Branch Church, 2535 state Route 52, Liberty, N.Y. 12754. Pastor Ed Sostak will officiate. Burial will follow at Grahamsville Rural Cemetery, Grahamsville, N.Y.
Arrangements are under the care of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home. For further information, call (845) 434-7363 or visit www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com.