Karen Hobson

Karen Hobson, age 61 of Clinton Township, died Friday, July 13, 2018 at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township, Michigan. She was born March 16, 1957 in Detroit, daughter of the late Samuel Joseph and the late Alice June (nee: Gatfield) Bartalino.Along with being the doting wife and caring mother, Karen also worked outside of the home where she took her people skills into the public realm as a clerk in the retail industry. Possessing a warm smile and the desire to make a difference in the lives of others, Karen was the consummate customer service agent who did exactly that,…she made a difference. Yet nobody ever said that customer service work is easy, so Karen managed to infuse a little balance into her life through the pastimes she enjoyed,…like camping. Nothing says freedom and relaxation like exchanging the concrete jungle for a bit of backwoods recreation, and Karen found this relief in each of her camping excursions.Camping with family and friends made for a lot of wonderful memories in her life, but Karen also enjoyed each and every opportunity that afforded her the same company around the games table playing cards. Slingin' the cards amidst some friendly conversation and competition, (and a tasty beverage, of course), always provided the right atmosphere for fun and entertainment,…and Karen ate it up with delight. Her gambling tastes were not profound, so a little card action with family and friends fed her hunger for excitement,…well, almost. You see…this tiny bio would be a bit remiss if not for mentioning those occasions that Karen's meager gambling tastes found a need to be fed at the casino, so off she went to give Ol' Lady Luck a run for her money. As much as the hopes were there to depart the casino with deeper pockets, it was also about the entire package of the sights, sounds, and invigoration that filled the room and helped whisk her away to moments of joy and pleasure.Yet more than anything, Karen's greatest joys in life were found in the hearts and souls of her loved ones,…especially those precious cherubs, her grandchildren. They were the light of her life and gave special reason to press on and create moments to last a lifetime. Family meant the world to Karen and she poured the best parts of herself into nurturing and caring for their every need with the heart of a saint. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Karen imbued her family with a caring spirit like no other. She emanated a deep and special kind of love that permeated every heart she touched,…and left them changed forever. It was her own legacy of love that shall live on in the hearts of those who were blessed to know and be touched by her. May each remembrance be embraced, and may she now rest in peace,…safe in the arms of God. Karen was the beloved wife of the late Ernest. Dearest mother of Keith Allen (Ruby) Hobson, Brian (Becky) Bartalino, Ernest Hobson Jr., Michael John Halt, and David Hobson. Loving grandmother of Amber, Dawn, Lilly, Dante, Jacob, Brina, Damian, Ashley, and Dylan. Sister of Vita Duncan, Clara Bartalino, Claudia (Henry) Base, Joseph (Debbie) Bartalino, and preceded in death by three sisters; Betty, Mary, and Judy. Visitation for Karen will be held Monday, July 16th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, with Funeral Services to follow, at Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church, 22310 Thirteen Mile Road, St. Clair Shores, MI 48082. Arrangements have been entrusted to the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Rd.) in Warren. Please share memories of Karen at her guest book above.