Karen Beth Shaer

Karen Beth Shaer of Manhattan died on March 29, 2026, from complications arising from pancreatic cancer. Karen was born on July 11, 1959, and graduated from Yale University and Columbia Law School. Following law school graduation, Karen worked for two private law firms and then went to work as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Following her work at the Southern District, Karen became the general counsel for American Family Media and then for Garden City Group before returning to public service in the New York City Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice. Karen was working as Governor Hochul's Deputy Secretary for Public Safety when she died.

Karen loved New York City, especially its theaters and concerts, and she loved playing tennis. She was outgoing, vibrant, and generous -- a genuine and devoted friend to many.

Karen is survived by her mother, Janice Shaer, two sisters, Ellen and Jennifer, her husband, Benjamin Rosenberg, her two children, Joseph and Jessica, their spouses, Lisa and Matt, and a very spoiled dog, Fenway. She leaves numerous adoring nieces, nephews, cousins, and brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Services will be held On Tuesday, March 31, at 11:00 am at the Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 West 76th Street, New York, NY. The family will sit shiva at its apartment, 255 West 90th Street, Apartment 2B, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (March 31, and April 1 and 2) from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm each day

In honor of his mother, Joseph will be running the 2026 New York City Marathon to raise money in support of the fight against pancreatic cancer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Joseph's donations page (see below under Donations section).

A Funeral Service will be held at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 West 76th Street, New York, NY 10023, US, on March 31, 2026, at 11:00 am, with a live stream available at https://www.legacycelebrated.com/karen-beth-shaer/.