Karen Jayne Arnold

Karen Jayne Arnold

“Lived Happily as an Old Lady” -

Karen Jayne Arnold, age 72, of Mechanicsburg, PA and formerly of St. Louis, MO and Belleville, IL died quietly at home on Monday, April 28, 2014.  Karen was born on Thursday, April 9, 1942 in Belleville, IL to the late Cyril A. Arnold and Helen Marie (Wunsch) Arnold.

Karen’s survivors include her loving children: Jennifer A. Carpenter and her husband Keith, and their children Christopher, Patrick, and Catherine, all of Alexandria, VA; William “Bill” Arnold and his wife Liz, and their children Gus and Caroline, all of St. Louis, MO; her three sisters: Yvonne Hayes of IL, Letitia DePalma and her husband James of FL, Marge Hanigan of WV; several nieces and nephews; and her many friends.

Karen graduated from Cathedral High School as part of the class of 1960, from the University of Notre Dame , and from Washington University of St. Louis, MO with her Medical Degree.  Dr. Arnold proudly served in the U.S. Air Force as a physician, and then worked as a general and vascular surgeon for University Surgeons in St. Louis, where she retired in 2002.  Karen then worked for FairCode Associates in the North East Region for over eight years and until her death.  Karen was a faithful member of Saint Katharine Drexel Catholic Church in Mechanicsburg where she served on the Women’s Council and attended daily Mass.

Karen was a deeply grateful person who enjoyed “living life as an old lady”.  Bill remembers her as an “awesome person”.  “You take the good and the bad in life; you must take the bad so you might as well enjoy the good” was a sentiment she shared many times with her children.  She was known as a “fashion diva” and enjoyed that title.  Karen enjoyed traveling, music, live theater, and volunteering at her church.  Above all, Karen adored her grandchildren.  She will be deeply missed.

All are welcome to join Karen’s family at her Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 2, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Saint Katharine Drexel Church , 1 Peter Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050; with Reverend Stephen D. Weitzel celebrating.  Karen’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at her church immediately following the Mass.  Cremation and then interment in Green Mount Catholic Cemetery in Belleville, IL, where full military honors will be presented, will be private and at the convenience of the family.

The family suggests memorial contributions to American Heart Association , 1019 Mumma Road, Wormleysburg, PA 17043.  Karen’s family has entrusted her care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Karen’s full obituary, view her memorial portrait, and sign her official guest book at www.Myers-Buhrig.com .