Karey Sorrentino

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It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that the family of Karey Ann (Nick) Sorrentino, age 43, of Totowa, announces her unexpected passing this past Sunday, March 15, 2020.

Born at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ and raised in Wayne, Karey was the middle child of Kenneth (Mike) and Edna Nick’s nine children – seven daughters and then two sons. She was a graduate of Wayne Hills High School, Class of 1994.

Karey was genuinely a selfless and giving person. She always put other's needs first. She went above and beyond when it came to helping family, friends and even people she barely knew. She loved to help those in need because she was, a good hearted soul.

When Karey was old enough to work, her first job was at a flower cart in Willowbrook Mall and she also dabbled in some amateur modeling through a talent agency. She even worked as an extra in a few movies. Those two jobs for Karey were short lived as she yearned to do a job that was more fulfilling. Little did she know that with her love for animals and with the help of her older sister Brenda, she would land a job working for Dr. Kentner at Wayne Hills Animal Hospital.

Karey started out working the front desk, answering phones and cleaning cages. It didn't matter what she had to do as long as she was helping animals. Over the years, Karey would eventually work her way up to being the office manager and head veterinary technician. As Dr. Kentner would say, Karey ran a tight ship and she was the "rock" of his practice. When clients called and heard Karey's voice, they would feel at ease about the care their beloved pets were getting.

Karey worked at Wayne Hills Animal Hospital for almost 30 years until she passed away. During that time, she helped many clients with their fur babies, always showing care, love and compassion to each and every one of them. She also fostered and rescued many cats and kittens during her career. There wouldn't be a spring season without Karey having a bottle baby or two to care for. Karey had a few of her personal rescue kitties who stole her heart. First and foremost was her beloved Joenus, a handsome, grey domestic longhair, and Peyton (named after Peyton Manning) a grey domestic shorthair with one eye whom she raised from bottle kittens. Then there was Harpo (Harpo Man) a 20 pound grey tabby whose owner was sick with cancer. So in order to help ease her worries, Karey took Harpo home and cared for him as if he were her own. As each of these fellas passed away, they stole a piece of Karey's heart. When Karey passed away, she left behind quite a few rescue cats which included her work mascot, Bogey, at home her Cornish Rexes, Girlfriend, Lucius, Cyrus and many others who will miss their "Mom".

A little more than 18 years ago Karey met the love of her life, Anthony. It just so happened that the two of them shared a common acquaintance who made plans with the both of them separately for the same evening. When this friend stood Anthony up, he called Karey to see if she was with their mutual friend. She said that was not the case, and that she had been stood up too! With that being said, the two of them decided they would not let a good night go to waste and so they went out together instead. They enjoyed a fun evening together at Ozzie’s in Totowa and, as the saying goes, the rest was history. Karey and Anthony exchanged their marital promises to each other on Saturday, April 27, 2002 at the Totowa United Methodist Church and went on to spend a happy marriage living in Totowa ever since.

Like any other couple, it would have been impossible for Karey and Anthony to never have a disagreement, but it could truly be said that they never ever had a fight. They had a wonderful marriage. They truly loved and cared for each other. Knowing that things calmed down every day at the animal hospital around 10:00 AM, Anthony would call Karey at that time, just to say hi. For the two of them, it came down to a simple, yet meaningful saying that they both lived by – “You Me, Me You, Us, The End”.

When she wasn’t saving the animals of the world, Karey could be found spending time with her family and friends. She always loved being with her family. Karey also had a lot of fun assisting Anthony in his coaching duties as a little league and Amateur Baseball Association (ABA) coach. She really grew to love the sport and the players, often referring to them as “my boys”. She kept score and stats in the scorebook, loved to call out the batting order as well as the field positions for the game, and occasionally calmed Anthony down when he got upset about a bad call by the umpire.

Karey had a radiant smile that could brighten anyone's day. She also had a loving disposition towards every person and animal she ever met. She will be greatly missed by everyone who had the honor of knowing her.

Karey was the beloved wife of Anthony Sorrentino, blessed in a most loving marriage for almost eighteen years. She was the dear mother of Stacy Sorrentino of Clifton and Anthony Sorrentino of Totowa; loving daughter of Kenneth L. Nick, Sr. and Edna Nick of Wayne; much-loved sister of: Margaret Nick Henry of Wayne, Brenda and husband Luis Amaya of Tabernacle, NJ, Tammy and husband Mark Miller of Wayne, Paula Van Der Wende of Wayne, Krissy Montana of Wayne, the late Erica Mandeville (2019), the late Kenneth Nick, Jr. (1985), and Michael and wife Jessica Nick of Pompton Lakes; dear daughter-in-law of Anna Sorrentino of Ringwood and the late  Rocco Sorrentino (2019); and dear sister-in-law of Rocco and wife Lori Sorrentino of Washington, NJ, and John and wife Lynn Sorrentino of Bloomingdale. She is also survived by many dear uncles, aunts, cousins, second cousins, nieces and nephews. Karey was also predeceased by her paternal grandparents: Clarence J. Nick and Margaret J. Nick; and her maternal grandparents: Warren Congleton, Sr. and Edna Mae Congleton.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Karey’s memory to one of the following charitable organizations:

Save the Animals Rescue Team II – (S.T.A.R.T. 2)

PO Box 177

Elmwood Park, NJ 07407

To donate online, click here

Helping Felines in Need

PO Box 2586

Wayne, NJ 07470