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Karen R. Hoffman
01/16/2021

Karen R. (Hess) Hoffman, 62, of Allentown passed away in hospice at Lehigh Valley Hospital, 17th & Chew after being diagnosed Dec. 27 at LVH Cedar Crest with liver cancer. She always looked forward to her birthdays, of which the 63rd was only one month away, now to be enjoyed in heaven. Karen was devoted in love to her husband Stephen for nearly 40 years. 

Karen graduated from Catasauqua High School in the Bicentennial class. She was a daughter of late parents Grace and Grant Hess; predeceased by her sister Ruth Hess Bryant and brother Grant. She is survived by sisters Bonnie Frantz and Gale Hess, from whom she has nieces Nicole Souders and Andrea Bryant and nephews Sterling Bryant and Kevin & Alex Hess. 

She worked for years in the Lehigh Valley Throwing Mills factory in Fountain Hill on the textile bobbins. Her later work was from home to prepare standardized tests for Allentown School District near 12th and Sumner Ave. and signing voters in twice a year for long days at the Seibert EC Church at 10th and Allen Streets, where she also sang in the choir.

From the late 1970's, she and Stephen were members at the church they were married, First Church of the Nazarene, Allentown near Pate's Park. Steve saw her sing in the choir before they were set up to be the only singles at the Pairs & Spares Sunday School Christmas banquet across from Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest. They spent years together in that choir, then later years in Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship choir and filming Zion Choral that Steve sang in since 2001.

Steve loved taking Karen to concerts and such events, mostly southern gospel, vacation trips including two cruises. Karen also treasured her husband's late parents Patricia and Robert Hoffman and his brothers David of San Pedro, CA, Richard of Cumru Twp. PA and Jim and wife Lisa along with beloved nephews Jimmy and Will of Haveford High.

Services: Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church, 1151 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. has kindly offered to hold a Covid compliant Celebration of Life at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21st with visitation starting at 9:30. Interment at Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church Cemetery, 3441 Devonshire Rd., Allentown. Arrangements by Nicos C. Elias Funeral Home, Allentown.