Karen Schwendy Bowersox

Karen Schwendy Bowersox, 79, has gone to be with her Lord and Savior and her Husband in Heaven. David had just passed on December 18, 2024 and she missed him. She passed away peacefully in Fort Edward, New York on January 6, 2025.

Karen was born to Phyllis E. (Stanton) Schwendy in Alexandria, Louisiana while her father, Clifford E. Schwendy completed his service with the Army. Not long after her birth, the family returned to Lewis County, New York and settled in Castorland just outside of Lowville.

Karen graduated from Lowville Central School in 1963, Watertown School of Commerce in 1964 and completed the Dale Carnegie Course in Effective Speaking and Human Relations in 1966. She started work in the Credit Department of Sears and Roebuck in Watertown, NY. It was there that rumor has it that David L. Bowersox ordered a date via the catalog department having met her at an interdenominational church young adult group.

Karen and Dave continued dating despite Dave's transfer from the local Social Security office to the Social Security Headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. They were engaged in April 1968 and married in Lowville in September 1968. After a honeymoon tour of New England, Karen joined David in Baltimore, Maryland. They joined First Baptist Church of Baltimore and she was baptized there in November of 1968. They purchased one of the first few homes in the Mount Hebron Neighborhood of Ellicott City and moved in just in time for the birth of their first daughter, Marie. 3 years later they celebrated the addition of another daughter, Kimberly. Karen was an amazing homemaker; raising 2 kids, keeping an immaculate home and often hosting fine dining events for family and church.

Like her mother, Karen was a bookkeeper. She served in that role at the daycare center at First Baptist Church and later assisted at Bethany Church in Ellicott City. She went on to earn an Associate in Accounting at Howard County Community College in 1982, graduating with honors. Next was a Bachelor of Science from the School of Business at University of Baltimore in 1983, once again with honors. One of Karen's proudest moments was achieving CPA status. She began with a home business then transferred to serving as a CPA/accountant for several non-profit organizations. All this time she continued to excel as a mom and hostess. After retirement, she had the pleasure of owning a small piece of land near Frederick, Maryland where she had a horse and a couple goats. Her riding hobby gave her much pleasure for many years.

Remaining to honor Karen's memory are Daughter, Marie K. Cox and her husband Ed Cox; Daughter Kimberly Bradley and her husband Heath Bradley; Grandchildren, Ethan, Megan and Matthew; Sister Brenda Krueger and her husband Karl Krueger. Preceding Karen in death are husband David L. Bowersox and brother David G. Schwendy and his wife Jeanette Schwendy.

Memorial donations in Karen's name can be directed to the Fort Hudson Foundation, 319 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828. Fort Hudson provides excellent support to many seniors and their caregivers in the greater Glens Falls area of Upstate New York. This included the excellent care and support for David and Karen in their last years with us.

Family and friends are invited to gather at Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, Inc. 7250 Washington Blvd., Elkridge, Maryland 21075 (Exit 6 South off Route 100) on Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm what which time a Celebration of Life will begin. Interment immediately following at Meadowridge Memorial Park.