Karen Marie Tripodi

Karen Marie (Hunter) Tripodi, 65, of New Philadelphia, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving and devoted family, on Sunday, June 23, 2013, following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Dennison on August 10, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth Lee and Vera Marie (Johnson) Hunter.

Karen was a proud 1965 Uhrichsville High School graduate. She had tremendous respect and devotion to her classmates and greatly enjoyed organizing her class reunions.

Karen was employed at a variety of professional organizations in the community including Dr. Chuck Moore’s office, Don Wallick Auctions, and the Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts.

On July 23, 1970, Karen married her lifelong companion whom she met at the Clerk of Courts, Attorney Joseph Tripodi. They shared a lifetime of love, laughter, and experiences together. They also worked alongside one another at his law practice for the past 15 years, where Karen served as a secretary.

Joseph was a graduate of Steubenville Central High School in 1958. In typical fashion, Karen befriended many of his former classmates at social functions and established lifelong friendships with them.

She also was an excellent golfer and played on a league at Willandale Golf Course in Sugarcreek, and was a former member of TWIG.

Karen was a devoted, supportive, and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. In her final months, not only was she blessed to be surrounded by her family, but also by close friends from around the United States.

She will be deeply missed by her husband, Joe; her daughters, Danielle Gasser and Julie Tripodi, both of New Philadelphia; her step-daughter, Debora (Jo) Tripodi of New York City; her grandchildren, Giordana “Jordan”, Sophia, and Cade Gasser, Bianca Tripodi, and Talia Pershing; her siblings, Nicholas (Maggie) Hunter of Lancaster, Anna Lee Torch of Dennison, Jan Ackley of Washington Courthouse, O., and Kimberly (Ron) Bigler of Weston, Florida; her mother-in-law, Mary Tripodi; and numerous nieces and nephews. She also is survived by her friend, caregiver, and “life angel”, Kathy Cabbage of New Philadelphia.

Karen was also blessed with close personal friends whose company she cherished and gave her so much love and prayers during this last illness. Karen’s family, on her behalf, thanks each of you.

In addition to her parents, Karen was preceded in death by her grandson, Von Louis Gasser.

Visitation will be held in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover, 5600 N. Wooster Ave., on Thursday, June 27 from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Hospice Chaplain, Pastor Brian Flood, will officiate a service celebrating Karen’s life at 5:30 followed by a reception in the funeral home’s Hospitality Center.

Cremation has been entrusted to Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory and a private inurnment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at Dover.

Memorial contributions in Karen’s memory may be directed to Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 716 Commercial Ave., SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.

Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Karen by visiting the funeral home website at www.GeibCares.com.