Karen L. Shuman

June 4, 1952 – Nov. 20, 2024

Karen Louise Shuman, 72, of Hollidaysburg died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones after living
courageously and independently with cancer. She was born in Niagara Falls, NY., daughter of the late Ivan
and Bettie (Cummings) Shuman. Her parents sparked her love for travel with a Christmas trip to London,
including Christmas service at Canterbury Cathedral, when she was a teenager.

She is survived by her daughter, Sarah Hoffman (Jon); three sons: Joshua (Jessica), Seth (Matt) and Noah
(Shakera) Tryninewski; five grandchildren: Riley, Caleb, Isaac, Elijiah, and Faye; a brother, John Shuman
(Mary); two nephews: Gregory (Ping) and Daniel Shuman; and a grandnephew and grandniece, Jonathan
and Genevieve Shuman. She had a special place in her heart for her beloved grand-puppies: Ty, Ruby, Dilly,
and Jake and grand-cats: Alexander, Pipa, Spike, Salem, and Leon.

During her youth, Karen was an accomplished figure skater and talented seamstress, often joking that in
adulthood she had become a “frustrated costume designer who wanted to join the Ice Capades.” She
graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1970, earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Buffalo
State University in 1974 and completed her master’s degree in education at SUNY Geneso in 1976.
Karen taught special education in both NY and PA, spending the larger part of her teaching career with the
Altoona Area School District. She loved teaching her students Ernest Hemmingway’s Old Man and the Sea
and other American literature. While Karen missed her students and colleagues in retirement, she was
thrilled to spend time with her beloved grandchildren (who she loved so much and was so proud of),
traveling the world, volunteering with the library, reading, gardening and making trips to see family
scattered around the country.

Friends will be received from 4-6pm Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at Sorge Funeral Home and Crematory
Inc., Hollidaysburg PA where a memorial service will immediately follow with Pastor Jeanne Jacobson
officiating.

In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with her love for animals in need, please make memorials to The Central
PA Humane Society: centralpahumane.org/donation-options

The family would like to thank the health care professionals of Mount Nittany Medical Center and UPMC
Hillman Cancer Center for their kindness, love, and professionalism that they provided.

sorgefuneralhome.com

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