Karen Gawrys

Karen Gawrys, age 73 of Wayne, passed away on Friday, August 1, 2025.

Karen was raised in Saddlebrook, New Jersey by Harold and Marjorie Heim, growing up as one of five children. After graduating from Saddlebrook High School, she initially pursued nursing at St. Joseph’s, driven by her lifelong calling to help others. She eventually discovered that nursing school wasn’t the right fit. Instead, she found her path as a nurse’s aide and went on to build a fulfilling career in various healthcare positions until her retirement. 

Shortly after high school, Karen’s life took a wonderful turn during a casual outing with a friend when they met a gentleman named Tom Gawrys. Karen and Tom started off as friends, but before they knew it the two friends fell in love with one another. They started dating and several years later, on April 22, 1972, the couple exchanged their vows, beginning a beautiful marriage that spanned over five decades. 

Their honeymoon was an adventure they would never forget. Starting with a cruise from Florida to the Bahamas, Karen discovered how terribly susceptible she was to seasickness as the cruise portion of their honeymoon was one she wished to forget. Thankfully, their time in the Bahamas was beautiful, and Florida proved even better. They fell in love with Walt Disney World, which had recently opened in Orlando, and discovered their slice of paradise at the Three Crowns in Deerfield Beach. The suites surrounded a pool just steps from the beach, and they loved it so much that returning to the exact same room became their cherished annual tradition. Over the years, they even developed a friendship with the owner, whose family joined in their celebrations.

The newlyweds settled into their newly built home in Wayne, New Jersey where they were blessed with their two children, Tommy and Crisanne. Family meant everything to Karen, and she embraced motherhood with her whole heart.  Naturally, when she discovered the news that she would become a grandma she was overjoyed. From that point on her world revolved around her grandkids Arianna and Colton. She loved them so much and made it her mission to pick them up from school every day, rain or shine, sick or well she was there for them.  

Among Karen’s most treasured relationships was her friendship with next-door neighbors Michele and Joe. The couples became inseparable. Tom and Joe played in a band together while Karen and Michelle were their biggest fans, dancing and cheering at every gig. Since both couples got married in the same month, they celebrated their anniversaries together with a joint trip to Aruba. They shared an incredible time creating lasting memories they would reminisce about for the next 28 years. When Joe got sick with cancer, Karen did everything she could to help. Whenever Joe wasn’t feeling good, he would call over to Karen for her famous chicken noodle soup. She would drop everything to make it fresh and deliver it to him. Though Joe eventually lost his battle with cancer, Karen and Michele remained best friends through the years.

Part of what made Karen so special was her extraordinary gift for putting others’ needs before her own. Her selfless nature was perhaps best expressed through her cooking. She regularly sent guests home with goodie bags overflowing with her delicious homemade meals. This generosity, combined with her natural ability to bring people together, made Karen the heart of countless gatherings. Unsurprisingly, Karen lived for hosting parties. She always found reasons to invite family and friends to her home for good company, swimming and great food. It was a given that every Sunday would be spent “at grandma’s” and it should come as no surprise that holidays were a favorite time for Karen. She loved Christmas with its accompaniment of her beloved Hallmark Channel movies. Labor Day was another favorite, marked by huge annual gatherings at Wild Duck Pond in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The extended family came together for softball, kickball, horseshoes, and potluck picnics featuring Karen’s legendary homemade mac and cheese (a dish so beloved that friends and family requested it year-round). When her son Tommy moved down to Florida seven years ago, Karen and Tom enjoyed a new annual tradition spending the Fourth of July down there with him at their treasured Deerfield Beach. 

Karen will be remembered for her endlessly caring and selfless nature, her remarkable ability to bring people together, and her delicious cooking that she gave out so generously. She was the best mom, grandma, and friend anyone could ask for, and her loving presence will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.

Karen is survived by her husband Tom Gawrys; her kids: Crisanne and her husband Justin, and Tommy; her grandkids: Arianna and Colton; her siblings: Douglas, Patrice, Harold, and Kathleen; and her close friend Michele.

She is predeceased by her parents: Harold and Marjorie; and her close friend Joe.