Obituary for Karen A. Schotthoefer
Karen A. Schotthoefer
May 5, 1947 - January 12, 2021
Karen A. Schotthoefer, 73, of Oneida, NY, died Tuesday, January 12, 2021, due to complications from COVID. Karen’s beloved partner and wife of 40 years, Donna DeRosa, was at her side.
Born May 5, 1947, Karen was the firstborn child of Robert and Marie (Steinberger) Schotthoefer, and the first of dozens of grandchildren of George and Bertha Schotthoefer.
After graduating in 1965 from St. John the Baptist in Syracuse, Karen began her career at NY Telephone/Verizon, starting on the switchboard and retiring as an Administrative Clerk, after 30 years of service.
In retirement, Donna taught her how to play trumpet and the two of them used their musical skills playing in various community bands, primarily La Banda Rossa of Utica. Karen fell right into the Italian music, culture, traditions, and food that went along with an Italian band. She was an integral part of keeping this organization alive. Karen recently embraced the ukulele and with her collection of 6 ukuleles she played every day and belonged to the Canastota Ukulele group and zoomed once a week with the Provincetown Ukulele group.
Karen and Donna thoroughly enjoyed travel, preferably by train. Some of their favorite adventures included trips to NYC, New Orleans, and Washington DC. But their true place for happiness was Provincetown, Cape Cod. For over 40 years, the couple traveled there, often up to three times a year, spending time reading, eating, and drinking while sitting on their deck overlooking the bay. They cherished the memories made with the numerous friends that joined them on their unforgettable Ptown vacations!
Origami was one of Karen’s passions and she loved to make little birds and animals to give to friends. Many times while traveling she would leave an Origami bird for the housekeeper along with the tip. In 2018, she adorned her entire Christmas Tree with her Origami creations.
As an avid reader, it was nothing for Karen to read 100 to 300 books a year, and she was a yearly participant in the Provincetown Library Reading Challenge. In 2017, she made a goal for herself to read a book a day. At the end of that year’s book journal she wrote, “Goal Accomplished - 365 books. Lesson learned - Don’t ever do that again.” She always said her library card was her most prized possession, and would carry it in her wallet where most people would display their license.
Karen was also the treasured family chronicler with her self-published book “When Great-Great Grandfather Came to America.” Her last published lines, describing herself, were: “Her fondest hope is that other family members have inherited the ‘storytelling gene’, and future generations will continue to share their stories.” Thanks to Karen’s own gifted storytelling her fondest hope will come true.
Karen leaves behind to cherish her memory her wife, Donna; her cherished mother, Marie of Syracuse; her brothers, Bob (Marge) of Virginia Beach, VA and Kurt (Cathy) of Baldwinsville, NY. She was “Tant’e Karen” (Aunt Karen) to her special nieces, Patti Walters of Grapevine, TX, Anna Schotthoefer of Pittsford, NY and Lisa Kimball of Liverpool, NY, who Karen and Donna loved to have on some of their travels. She also leaves behind her nieces, Christine Schotthoefer of Walworth, NY and Sabrina Ogunleye of Virginia Beach, VA; many great-nieces and great-nephews; her “dozens of cousins”, way too numerous to list; her aunt, Rosemarie Steinberger of East Syracuse and the “Steinberger cousins”; her in-laws, Rosemary Arcuri of New Hartford, NY, Tracey Richardson of Hilton, NY, and Daniel Arcuri of New Hartford, NY. Karen was predeceased by her father, Robert and by her brother, Martin.
Karen and Donna were blessed with an amazing, loving, network of friends, too numerous to mention - many are friendships of over 40 years. Add to this the many friendships made through all the musical groups and organizations.
Special thanks to Debbie Brown and Sue Murphy for their love and enormous help getting us through this difficult time.
Calling hours will be Sunday, January 24th, from 2 to 4 pm at Carter Funeral Home, 1604 Grant Blvd., Syracuse and on Monday from 11 am to 12 pm at St. John the Baptist / Holy Trinity Church, 406 Court Street Syracuse, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon. Entombment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Syracuse.
The Oneida Public Library has recently constructed a brand new modern building that Karen was so anxious to visit. Donations, in her memory, would be greatly appreciated, and made payable to the Oneida Public Library, 459 Main St., Oneida NY 13421.
May 5, 1947 - January 12, 2021
Karen A. Schotthoefer, 73, of Oneida, NY, died Tuesday, January 12, 2021, due to complications from COVID. Karen’s beloved partner and wife of 40 years, Donna DeRosa, was at her side.
Born May 5, 1947, Karen was the firstborn child of Robert and Marie (Steinberger) Schotthoefer, and the first of dozens of grandchildren of George and Bertha Schotthoefer.
After graduating in 1965 from St. John the Baptist in Syracuse, Karen began her career at NY Telephone/Verizon, starting on the switchboard and retiring as an Administrative Clerk, after 30 years of service.
In retirement, Donna taught her how to play trumpet and the two of them used their musical skills playing in various community bands, primarily La Banda Rossa of Utica. Karen fell right into the Italian music, culture, traditions, and food that went along with an Italian band. She was an integral part of keeping this organization alive. Karen recently embraced the ukulele and with her collection of 6 ukuleles she played every day and belonged to the Canastota Ukulele group and zoomed once a week with the Provincetown Ukulele group.
Karen and Donna thoroughly enjoyed travel, preferably by train. Some of their favorite adventures included trips to NYC, New Orleans, and Washington DC. But their true place for happiness was Provincetown, Cape Cod. For over 40 years, the couple traveled there, often up to three times a year, spending time reading, eating, and drinking while sitting on their deck overlooking the bay. They cherished the memories made with the numerous friends that joined them on their unforgettable Ptown vacations!
Origami was one of Karen’s passions and she loved to make little birds and animals to give to friends. Many times while traveling she would leave an Origami bird for the housekeeper along with the tip. In 2018, she adorned her entire Christmas Tree with her Origami creations.
As an avid reader, it was nothing for Karen to read 100 to 300 books a year, and she was a yearly participant in the Provincetown Library Reading Challenge. In 2017, she made a goal for herself to read a book a day. At the end of that year’s book journal she wrote, “Goal Accomplished - 365 books. Lesson learned - Don’t ever do that again.” She always said her library card was her most prized possession, and would carry it in her wallet where most people would display their license.
Karen was also the treasured family chronicler with her self-published book “When Great-Great Grandfather Came to America.” Her last published lines, describing herself, were: “Her fondest hope is that other family members have inherited the ‘storytelling gene’, and future generations will continue to share their stories.” Thanks to Karen’s own gifted storytelling her fondest hope will come true.
Karen leaves behind to cherish her memory her wife, Donna; her cherished mother, Marie of Syracuse; her brothers, Bob (Marge) of Virginia Beach, VA and Kurt (Cathy) of Baldwinsville, NY. She was “Tant’e Karen” (Aunt Karen) to her special nieces, Patti Walters of Grapevine, TX, Anna Schotthoefer of Pittsford, NY and Lisa Kimball of Liverpool, NY, who Karen and Donna loved to have on some of their travels. She also leaves behind her nieces, Christine Schotthoefer of Walworth, NY and Sabrina Ogunleye of Virginia Beach, VA; many great-nieces and great-nephews; her “dozens of cousins”, way too numerous to list; her aunt, Rosemarie Steinberger of East Syracuse and the “Steinberger cousins”; her in-laws, Rosemary Arcuri of New Hartford, NY, Tracey Richardson of Hilton, NY, and Daniel Arcuri of New Hartford, NY. Karen was predeceased by her father, Robert and by her brother, Martin.
Karen and Donna were blessed with an amazing, loving, network of friends, too numerous to mention - many are friendships of over 40 years. Add to this the many friendships made through all the musical groups and organizations.
Special thanks to Debbie Brown and Sue Murphy for their love and enormous help getting us through this difficult time.
Calling hours will be Sunday, January 24th, from 2 to 4 pm at Carter Funeral Home, 1604 Grant Blvd., Syracuse and on Monday from 11 am to 12 pm at St. John the Baptist / Holy Trinity Church, 406 Court Street Syracuse, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon. Entombment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Syracuse.
The Oneida Public Library has recently constructed a brand new modern building that Karen was so anxious to visit. Donations, in her memory, would be greatly appreciated, and made payable to the Oneida Public Library, 459 Main St., Oneida NY 13421.