On the bright sunny morning of Saturday, October 16, 2021, the Lord came to Karen Ann Bardick Hess and took her by the hand to His Heavenly Kingdom to live in everlasting peace and joy, at the young age of 61. A native of Wilkes-Barre, Karen resided in Drums, and passed away while in the care of the amazing doctors and nurses at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, following a valiant battle against Mucosal Melanoma, a rare and aggressive cancer.

Her loving and adoring husband is William K. “Bill” Hess. Together, Bill and Karen celebrated their 26^th wedding anniversary on August 26^th.

Born on May 19, 1960, in Wilkes-Barre, Karen was the eldest of two daughters born to the late John G. and Marie A. Stook Bardick.

Raised in the Heights section of Wilkes-Barre, Karen was a graduate of the former Bishop Hoban High School, Class of 1978. Following high school, Karen went on to further her education at Luzerne County Community College, where, in 1980, she acquired her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Later, she went on to attend Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational Technical School of Practical Nursing, where, in 1983, she received her certification to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Karen was currently employed by the Hanover Area School District as a paraprofessional, working with children with special needs for the past 28 years. Throughout her years at Hanover Area, she forged a close bond with every child she cared for, and like a surrogate mother, she loved and cared deeply for each and every one of them! Prior to that, she was employed for 8 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse for the former Heritage House Nursing Home, Wilkes-Barre.

A devout Catholic, Karen was a member of Good Shepherd Church, Drums, and was a lifelong member of Saint Mary the Immaculate Conception Church, Wilkes-Barre.

Vivacious and full of life, Karen possessed many qualities that would instantly draw others to her! She loved family gatherings, especially at the holidays – bringing everyone she loved together gave her the greatest joy, and she always made sure to capture those family memories with photographs for her family to cherish.

Karen had many enjoyments in life, most especially camping with her husband and family; baking for the holidays and special occasions; and spending time with her friends, who held a special place in her heart – she truly treasured the many wonderful memories she made with them over the years.

Although Karen’s presence will be missed beyond measure, she leaves this world with a beautiful legacy – a legacy of love, family, friendship, and service to others. The world is less bright without her in it, however the void that’s left behind is filled with happy memories and unconditional love.

In addition to her husband, Bill, Karen is survived by her sister, Patricia Lesko and her husband, Joseph, Moosic; her niece, Christina Lesko Carroll and her husband, Joseph Jr., Exeter; her nephew, Justin Lesko, Wilkes-Barre Township; her great-nephew, Joseph Carroll III, Exeter; her aunt, Irene Stook, Laflin; her step-sons, Matthew Hess, Rochester, New York; and William “Will” Hess, Minneapolis, Minnesota; her step-grandchildren, Evelyn, Liam, Stella, Arbor, and Briggs Hess; her mother-in-law, Fran Hess, Mountaintop; her sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Wendy Munley, Cathy Ruda, Brenda Hess, Debra Diotaiuto, and Brian Hess; her nieces, nephews, and cousins; her beloved dogs who were her “fur children”, Abbey and Lacey; her neighbors, who she considered family; countless friends; co-workers; and the children she cared for over the years at Hanover Area.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 9:15 AM, from the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Saint Mary the Immaculate Conception Church, 134 South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre, with the Reverend Joseph D. Verespy, her Pastor, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Family and friends are invited to Karen’s viewing which will be held on Thursday, October 21, 2021, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, at the funeral home.

For additional information or to send Karen’s family a message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

Memorial contributions may be made in Karen’s memory to Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105; or to Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge, 974 Lockville Road, Dallas, Pennsylvania 18612.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith; from now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness” – 2 Timothy 4: 7-8