Karen N. McKie

Karen was born on February 1, 1962, in Illinois to her parents Rupert and Halys (Houk) Davis. The oldest of 6, Karen embodied the spirit of a caretaker from a very young age. Her school days began at South New Berlin Central School. She then attended Holmesville Christian Academy where she found her love of music and song and grew her faith in Christ. It is also where she met her future Husband, Nicholas J. McKie.

Karen and Nick married shortly after Karen’s High School graduation. They went on to have two children; a son, Michael J. and a daughter, Michelle N.

Their love story was unique. She took great joy in telling anyone who would listen that Nick married her twice. Their life together was built with love and they spent their time quietly enjoying each other and the family that they created.

Karen worked as secretary for Holmesville Christian Academy where she played a large role in helping guide her younger siblings and countless others in their walk of faith. The many relationships she formed at Holmesville Baptist Church were lifelong.

Karen began working in the Chenango County Child Support Collection Unit when her children were very young and continued working there for many years before transitioning to Madison County Family Court where she worked her way up into the position of Chief Clerk before her retirement in 2018. During her career her colleagues became some of her closest friends and some even more like family.

In her retirement she spent time with her husband before his passing in 2022, teaching piano lessons, teaching AWANA and volunteering at her church. Karen enjoyed traveling and would make frequent trips to visit family and friends. She included her sisters, children and grandchildren in her travels as often as she could. Car trips with Karen were always filled with both deep conversations and lots of stories and laughter.

Karen loved music and thoroughly enjoyed playing piano and singing in Worship at Calvary Baptist Church.

Karen spent as much time as possible with her children and grandchildren. Having sleepovers and outings with her grandchildren was a favorite for her. She was very proud of her children and loved her family fiercely without reservation.

In 2024 Karen was sworn in as the Judge for the Town Of New Berlin, a position that she took great pride in. Fair and judicious by nature, she filled the role as Judge very well.

To know Karen was to know that she had a heart for people, especially for children. She embodied authentic love and made every effort to be truly supportive in any way possible. Her heart was pure gold and she made everyone around her feel special and loved.

Her faith in God was the foundation for her life and she lived every moment doing her best to be a witness for Jesus. Her faith in Christ was evident to everyone who knew her.

Karen is pre-deceased by her husband, Nicholas J. McKie; her parents Rupert C. and Halys E. (Houk) Davis; and her brother, Christopher Davis; as well as her parents in-law, Albert W. and Millie (Nelson) McKie. She is survived by her son, Michael J. McKie and Anjelah Rickard and their children, Nathan, AJ, Kamron and Zane McKie; her daughter, Michelle (McKie) and Steven Hoke; and their children, Tyler Thompson and Chase Hoke; her siblings Scott and Lisa Davis, Kim and Steve Voorhis, Brent and Dawn Davis, and Julie and Donald Hunt; her siblings in-law, Karen and Don Foley, Clara and John Sharp, and Barb Threet. She is also survived by countless nieces and nephews and their children.

Very special thanks to the Medical Equipment program sponsored by the American Legion chapter in New Berlin, which is ran most efficiently by Mary Lyon. Without their help Karen would not have been able to get home, where she most wanted to be.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, 116 N. Broad St. Norwich. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00pm until the time of service. All are welcome to attend.