Karen (née McDonnell) Kulesza, 67, of Yardley Pennsylvania, passed away on the morning of February 27th, 2026. She was born to John and Loretta McDonnell, originally of Pittston before the family moved to Morrisville.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Mary Pat Williamson, and her brother Jack McDonnell. She is survived by one son (Kevin Kulesza), four nieces and nephews (Lisa Willard, John Williamson, Lori Klotz and Lee Ann Williamson), six great nieces and nephews (Erica, Joey, Johnny, Sierra, Morgan and Emily) and four great-great nieces and nephews (Kayleb, Kamren, Amelia and Audrey). She is also survived by numerous dear friends who became family over the years, like Patty Popowich, Colleen and Phil Miller and their family, Patricia Jacoby and her family, and Shanaz Ahmad and her daughters Shermeen and Sabeen.

To the extent it is possible to sum up a human life in a single word, Karen's would have been compassion. She was the kind of person who would not hesitate to sit with you in person or on the phone for hours on end while helping you talk through your problems and offering whatever wisdom and solace she could. In a true example of following Christ, Karen put others first and herself last. No matter what hardships she was facing at the time, she never shied away from an opportunity to be there for others. She took that love and selflessness with her throughout her long career in childcare, both as a homeschooling mother and as a professional nanny.

She had a great love of reading which she endeavored to pass on to every child she cared for. It was not uncommon for the little ones in her care to approach her with huge stacks of storybooks they wanted her to read with them, or just one book they wanted her to read over and over again until she began hating that specific story. She would still read it several more times because she would never say no to the developing mind of a book-loving kid. It is her family's fond hope that she learned how to forgive the very hungry caterpillar before she passed.

Her sense of humor will be sorely missed. She loved to laugh, and had no shortage of funny stories and sarcastic quips to lift your spirits when you were feeling down. She loved to share good food with the people she loved the most, whether that was grilled octopus and pastries in a fancy restaurant or the most delicious homecooked meals ever created. She was a lover of animals and raised several pets, from the toy fox terrier she had as a girl to the little white cat (whose nicknames ran the gamut from "Baby Princess" to "Tiny Terror") who was her near constant companion in her final days.

Perhaps the only word that can describe Karen as well as compassionate is faithful. She was a devout Christian with a deep love of Jesus and his Blessed Mother. She prayed daily, and attended mass every Sunday and Holy Day until the moment her sickness robbed her of the ability to do so. She beseeched God that all her loved ones would "stay safe between Jesus and Mary." Nearly every child she cared for, be they family, friends, or those she was hired to watch over, would learn how to pray the Lord's Prayer and the Hail Mary. She was no street corner preacher who would disrespect another's faith; rather, when she saw souls seeking to grow closer to Jesus, she would do her utmost to help them find the way to him. While those of us on Earth are deeply saddened by the bright light that has been extinguished by her passing, we take comfort in knowing that Karen herself is now safe between Jesus and Mary, being ushered to her eternal reward.

The funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 11:00am at St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church 999 Reading Avenue Yardley, PA 19067. Interment will follow at the Newtown Cemetery. Calling hours for family and friends will be held from 10:00am to 10:45am at the church. Arrangements are under the care of the FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home 17 S. Delaware Avenue Yardley, PA 19067. Condolences for the family can be left at www.fitzgeraldsommerfuneralhome.com.