Karen Ann (Gladysz) Paxton, 68 of Hermitage pa. Passed away unexpectedly on Sunday July 28th, 2024. She was surrounded in love by her family at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Youngstown Ohio.

Karen was born March 12th, 1956 to Stanley J. Gladysz and Helen M. “Wansack “Gladysz in Sharon, Pa. She was a graduate of Hickory High School class of 1974.

On May 27th, 1978 Karen married the love of her life for 46 years of marriage James Dennis “ Denny “ Paxton who survives at home in Hermitage.
Karen worked for First National Bank for 19 years as a call center and chat representative, and previously worked at Penn Power for 25 years, where she met her best friends and often spent, in recent years, time with them enjoying life and fond memories.
Karen also spent time with her “ club girls” enjoying life chats and catching up on the latest in everyone’s lives.
Karens favorite places to spend her time was at Mountaineer Casino with her mother the late Helen M. Gladysz for many years. As years went on Karen spent a great deal of time at Avalon Golf and Country at Buhl Park. She spent much of her time soaking up sunshine by the pool and enjoying laughs and dinner with her “ Avalon Friends “ who she adored.
Avalon will always hold a special place in the Paxton family’s heart for the kindness and generosity they always gave Karen.

Karen’s 50th Class Reunion was this August. She was on the committee for the Hickory High School class of “74”. She was so looking forward to this exciting event and moment in her life. Much planning and preparation had gone into this monumental moment for Karen over the last year.

Most of all Karen’s greatest Joy in her life was her daughter Kayle Laureń Paxton , of Hermitage Pa. Karen and Kayle were inseparable. From the day Karen and Denny brought Kayle home from the hospital it was endless love and devotion. Karen and Kayle enjoyed traveling to New York City on bus trips , gambling, shopping trips to Ross Park and Eastwood Mall, enjoying Avalon, but most all of just spending time together. Karen was the epitome of what a mother should be. She dreamed of being a mom and Kayle granted her that wish when she was adopted at 2 days old. It was the greatest day of Karen and Denny’s life to welcome Kayle home.

Kayle will greatly miss her beautiful mother who was an amazing mother and person.
Karen’s fur baby their dog Kobe was also a great part of her life who resides at home with Kayle and Denny.
Karen taught everyone around her that Family and Faith were the forefront of life. Family was everything to Karen.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband James Dennis “ Denny” Paxton, Kayle Laureń Paxton, Hermitage. Aunts and uncles, Cindy “Wansack” Michael Bartolo of West Middlesex, John E. “ Buddy” Wansack of West Middlesex, Jim Sarvas, of Sharon, Joe and Joanne Wansack of Hermitage, Pa, and Norman Oliver. Also surviving are her Special Cousin Lisa Oliver Lapikas, and her husband Tom Lapikas and children Olivia and Nolan of Sharpsville. Lori “ David ” Stonebraker and son Cash of West Middlesex , Jacque “ Joe” Grasso of Sharon, her goddaughter June Grasso of New Castle . Also, cousins , Janelle , Jio, Jeno, Carolyn “ Wansack “ Stanton, Stefanie Wansack, Keith (Jennifer) Wansack, Kenny ( Jennifer) Wansack.

She is preceded in death by her father Stanley J. Gladysz , her mother Helen M. “ Wansack “ Gladysz, Godmother Margaret “ Wansack” Panzarella, Aunt Anna Mae Oliver, and Aunt Catherine “Ducksy“ Sarvas.

The family asks that if you knew Karen make sure to do something Karen would have done. Live to the fullest, dance to Rod Stewart, play a slot machine, have a martini and love every minute of your life.

Friends and family are asked to join in memories of Karen at calling hours Wednesday July 31st 2024 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the SHERMAN Funeral Home & Crematory 2201 Highland Rd. Hermitage, PA.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday August 1st, 2024 at 11:00 am in Church of the Good Shepherd 3613 Sharon Rd, West Middlesex, Pa 16159 friends are welcome to meet directly at church.

Burial will take place at St. Adalbert’s Cemetery.

Arrangements entrusted to the SHERMAN Funeral Home & Crematory