Karen A. Watkins of Shohola, Pa., has passed away at Monroe County Hospice House in East Stroudsburg on Thursday, June 29, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was 55.
Karen was always outside any chance she got. She was an avid gardener and loved hiking. In her younger years she was an accomplished horseback rider.
Karen enjoyed civil war reenacting and was a devote student of history. She was active in the scout community both as a leader and parent, helping her sons become Eagle Scouts.
She loved spending time with her children any chance she got. As well as loved ones, taking care of her elderly mother who was able to spend her remaining years at home thanks to Karen.
She also loved animals, maybe even a little more then people.
Karen was quick to help those who had trouble advocating for themselves. She kept those around her safe with her radiating warmth.
Though she may have been too humble to recognize it herself, she made a significant difference in this world by leaving a distinguishable impact on those around her. Karen left this world immensely loved.
She will be in our hearts always, never forgotten.
She was born on May 10, 1968, in Hackensack, N.J., the daughter of Helen (Zoloty) Watkins and Richard Watkins Sr.
She is survived by her husband Glen Zabriskie; children Rebecca Watkins, Dean Watkins, Sean Watkins of Shohola, Pa., and Briana Hagerty of Milford, Pa.; sister Judy Watkins of Teaneck, N.J.; brother Richard Watkins of Hackensack, N.J.; and grandchildren Audriana and Livia Hagerty.
Death is nothing at all.
It does not count.
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Nothing has happened.
Everything remains exactly as it was.
I am I, and you are you,
and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.
Call me by the old familiar name.
Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together.
Play, smile, think of me, love for me.
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it.
Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was.
There is absolute and unbroken continuity.
What is this death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval,
somewhere very near,
just round the corner.
All is well.
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
- Henery Scott Holand
Cremation was held privately at the convenience of her family.
Arrangements by Stroyan Funeral Home, 405 West Harford St., Milford, Pa. (www.stroyanfuneralhome.com).