Obituary of Karen O'Brien Smallen

Karen O’Brien Smallen, 75, of Yardley, PA, passed away on April 9, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Lockport, NY, she was formerly a resident of Buffalo, NY, before moving to Yardley in 1991.  Karen was a graduate of Nazareth College in Rochester, NY, and also the State University of New York at Buffalo, where she received her Masters degree in Art Education.  She retired in 2018 from Holy Ghost Prep after 26 years as a beloved art teacher and also as the Chair of the Fine Arts Department, where she built an art program from a one day per week art class to an award winning comprehensive visual arts program. Her art program launched careers in the visual arts for many of her students.  After retiring, Karen loved spending time with her family, especially her four grandchildren, whom she treasured.

Karen was the daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Luella) Schintzius and sister-in-law of the late Howard and Helene Smallen.

She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years David Smallen of Yardley, PA, her children Ben Smallen and his wife Erin of Richboro, PA, and Xander Smallen and his wife Julia of Langhorne, PA, her grandchildren Sabrina, Emilia, Oliver, and Alice, her sister Kathleen Niederpruem and her husband Craig of Langhorne, PA, and nieces and nephews Chris Niederpruem, Annie Niederpruem, Gail Ferguson, and Sari Zugermayr.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 26th, at 9:30am, in the chapel at Holy Ghost Prep, 2429 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA 19020.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Karen’s name can be made to The Abramson Cancer Center https://www.pennmedicine.org/cancer/giving or the Art Program at Holy Ghost Prep https://www.holyghostprep.org/support/ways-to-give/give-online .

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