Karen Jean Gormley

Karen Jean Gormley, 55, of Florida passed away on February 6, 2016 after a long illness. She was born in Cliffside Park, NJ and grew up in Sandyston, Sussex County, graduated from Kittatinny Regional High School graduating in 1978. In 1975 Karen was chosen Miss Sandyston. She built a successful 30 year Career in the insurance industry, most recently as the Systems Automation Director for Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance in Itasca, IL. Karen’s love for living life to the fullest affected all around her. She was known to many as the “Activity Director”. She shared her love of activity and culture with all. Personal interests included technology and gadgets, reading, motorcycle rides, floating in her pool, bouncing grandbabies on her knees, golfing and an occasional dose of dairy queen ice cream and birthday cake along with her mother’s beef stew. She will always be remembered for her smile, quick wit, spontaneity, practical advice, generous nature and fierce independence. Karen is predeceased by her granddaughter Abigail Eaton, and her sister-in-law Mary Towle Gormley She is survived by her longtime fiancé Michael West of Altamonte Springs, FL; Her son Timothy Eaton and his wife Jessica of Sandyston, her parents Gene and Erma Gormley of Sandyston; stepdaughter Kaitlin Newton and her husband Cody of Fredericksburg, VA, and her two grandchildren; Amelia and Jackson Eaton of Sandyston, NJ, her 2 step grandchildren Enzo and Ella Newton of Fredericksburg, VA. Her brothers; Frank Gormley of PA, Joseph Gormley and his wife May of PA., sisters, Patti Eaton and her husband Art of NY, Lori Stead and husband John of PA, Gina Rosenfeld and husband Clint of Michigan; her best friend Ellice Uffer of RI; several aunts and uncles and many loving cousins and especially her faithful 4 legged companion, Bently. Memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, ILL 60601 or the Florida SPCA 5850 Brannen Road S. Lakeland, FL 33813.