Karen Brockunier

August 29, 2021 - September 3, 2021

Karen Louise Brockunier Of Manor, Pennsylvania, died on September 3rd, 2021 after fighting a very brave and lifelong battle against Cushing's Disease. She was born on August 29th, 1950, in Somerset PA, and grew up in Jennerstown PA. Karen is preceded in death by her father, Griffith Brockunier, and her mother, Florence ( Lohr ) Brockunier of Jennerstown PA. Karen is survived by her daughter Erin Rigsby, of Manor, PA; her brother Richard and wife Christy Brockunier of Califon, NJ, her sister Deborah and husband Jim Ingley of Henderson, TN, her sister Gina Brockunier of Allentown, PA, her sister Janny Brockunier and husband Mike Babler of Milwaukee, WI, her sister Lindy and partner Carl Brockunier of Orange, NJ, her niece and nephews Kara Mosovsky, Brock Mosovsky, and Ross Brockunier, and her best friend of 53 years Colleen Salcius of Pawling, NY, who she met when they roomed together as students at IUP getting their degrees in English Literature. She leaves behind many dear friends, and will be especially missed by Marlene Frye and Joe Robosky, both of Manor, PA. Karen worked for over twenty years at the Army Battalion in downtown Pittsburgh as a Public Affairs Specialist. Karen was a brilliant and talented woman with many interests she poured her heart into-she did amazing work on not one but two of her beautiful big old houses that she renovated in her lifetime, hanging drywall, refinishing floors, working on electrical and plumbing, painting and plastering, you name it-she could do almost anything. She had truly exquisite, creative taste, and such an eye for the beautiful and the unique. Karen was also a master gardener and loved to be out in the yard with all of her beautiful trees, shrubs, and flowers, so many flowers, of which she knew every name and everything there was to know about. Being in her gardens with the butterflies and the birds gave her immense joy. Karen especially loved forget-me-nots, tulips, and roses. It didn't stop there, however, she had many interesting projects going at all times, from creating gorgeous handmade and detailed Christmas Santa's for her family, to sewing beautiful clothing and Halloween costumes, to refinishing furniture, to working on cool craft projects, to baking and cooking, to reading ( she loved loved loved to read) , and once even found the time to sew a tiny red dress for her daughter's hamster! Karen was very passionate about the health and environment of our planet, and held a special place in her heart for animals-especially dogs. Dogs endlessly delighted her. She was lucky to have loved many dogs during her life, and Blue, her very best boy in the whole wide world, died a few short months earlier on June 29th. Blue and Karen got to have 13 long years together, and he was a huge source of comfort through all of the pain she had to live through. She had a huge soft spot for black dogs, as they are the most overlooked in shelters. Karen also poured her heart into being the very best Mom in the whole wide world to her daughter Erin. She succeeded in her efforts. It is impossible to express what an incredible Mother she was, what she gave, the love she gave. Family meant everything to her. She would drop everything and move mountains for her family. Karen had endless reserves of love and care for those close to her. Not only was she an incredible Mother, she was an incredible daughter, sister, and friend. We will all miss her laugh, her wicked sense of humor and quick wit, her giant heart of gold, and her hugs. She gave the best hugs. Karen Brockunier is deeply loved and is deeply missed. We love you forever. Donations in Karen's memory may be sent to anything to do with dogs. Especially black dogs. " If wishes were horses, all beggars would ride " Professional Services trusted to D'Alessandro Funeral Home and Crematory Ltd., Lawrenceville. www.dalessandroltd.com