Karen Marie Marchak

Karen Marie Bixler Marchak was born in Toledo, Ohio on July 7, 1947, and was raised in Swanton Ohio afterward. She was the oldest of four children, Diane, Nathan and Andrew Bixler. Her father, Ephraim Bixler, was a farmer early in life, and worked as a tool and die maker at the Pilliod company as an adult. He served in the Pacific area during World War II and earned a bronze star. Her mother, Anna Pearl Adams, originally born in Michigan, moving to Ohio as a young girl, worked for the Campbell’s soup company.

As a young woman Karen embraced her love of music through ministry in song. She was in a singing group for ten years called the Transformations with her sister Diane and their friend Judy Black, and then with their cousin Tamra Siemantel. Karen arranged most of the music they sang. After graduating high school Karen received a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Fort Wayne Bible College. She moved back to Ohio where she worked in a department store and then as a vocal music teacher at an elementary school.

In 1976 she met her future husband Mark Marchak while he was raising support as a missionary in New Hampshire. She was working at a church camp there during her summer vacation. They married the following year and moved together to New York City where they lived in Greenpoint, Brooklyn for 25 years, followed by Staten Island for 22 more. Mark and Karen had two children, Alena (1981) and Aron (1983).

Karen was a stay-at-home mom for a number of years, but during this time she was active in the church, as music director. She taught piano and also ran a summer daycamp. Karen went back to work as a receptionist in midtown New York at the law firm Cravath Swaine and Moore, when her children began school. She continued to be active in music ministry at the church until the pandemic began. Karen was also very active in her husband’s Christian ministry, playing a major supportive role in his work.

Karen loved shopping, murder mysteries, board games and going out to eat. Most people were aware of her husband’s collection of 30s and 40s monster movie memorabilia, but Karen was also an avid collector of Christmas ornaments, travel spoons, and depression glass.

Anyone who met Karen knew of her genuine kindness and generosity, her infectious laugh, and her ability to talk to anyone. She was an exceedingly giving and loving person, who often put others before herself.

Karen is survived by her two children who will miss her dearly.