OXFORD – Karen Lee Fowlston, 57, of Oxford, passed away on July 10, 2012 at Chase Memorial Nursing Home, New Berlin. She was born on May 28, 1955 in Oxford, a daughter of William and Alma (Bridget) Fowlston.
Karen is survived by her brother and his wife, Thomas (Spike) and Janice Fowlston of Hershey, Pa., her sister and husband, Terri and Frank Branson of Surfside Beach, S.C.; aunts and uncles, Milton and Linda Shepler, John and Sandra Shepler, Richard and Esther Fowlston, Jeannette Biermann, Joan Walling, and David and Linda Fowlston. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive, including Althea Eiholzer and her daughter Jenna, who were constant support for Karen. She was predeceased by her father Bill on Nov. 2, 2009 and her brother Billy on Aug. 17, 1963.
Karen attended the first class for Special Education students for Chenango County in the “Bungalow” at Oxford Academy and Central School, when she was about 8 years old. When the BOCES building was built in the early 1970s, her classes were moved there. She attended cosmetology courses as well as child care programs. At 21 she started her career working at CWS until 2004, she then attended the CWS day hab program until 2009, and transferring to the Broome Developmental Services program until 2011 when she entered Chase Memorial Nursing Home.
From 1993 to 2004 Karen worked and lived 6 months a year in Myrtle Beach, S.C., working at the Senior Center in Surfside, SC and when in Oxford at the Community Workshop. Karen was a excellent swimmer, participating in local, regional and state meets in 1975 she attended the International Special Olympics in Michigan, where she won three medals. She was an acolyte at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Oxford and the Church of the Resurrection in Surfside Beach, S.C. She served as an acolyte at the ordination Rev. Edward Kalaher in Surfside Beach. Karen loved a good party, always smiled and was always “Okay.”
Funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Oxford, on Friday at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Bruce MacDuffie and the Rev. Charles Taylor officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Oxford.
Friends may call at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Oxford on Friday 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Chenango County ARC, 17 Midland Dr., Norwich, NY 13815, Chase Memorial Nursing Home, 1 Terrace Heights, New Berlin, NY 13411, or the Oxford Fire Department Emergency Squad, PO Box 172, Oxford, NY 13830 or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 32 Main St., Oxford, NY 13830.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford. Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com.