Karen Ann Kirby

Karen Ann Kirby, 62, of Avondale, PA, passed away peacefully at home on October 23, 2019, surrounded by her caring family, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Karen was born in Norwalk, CT, but lived most of her childhood in Plymouth, MI. While working in Northport, MI, she met her lifelong love Greg Kirby when he emptied her trash. A year later, the two were married to the song “Color My World” and began their life adventure of 42 years.

Karen was passionate about children and education, “playing” for 22 years at HUMC Early Learning Center as Resource Specialist. Her creativity, talent, and colorful artwork made the ELC preschool classrooms look professional and brought life to the children’s annual imaginary trips to far away countries. She was a proud mother and Nana, always active in her children’s and grandchildren’s activities including music, dance, sports, and Scouts.

She was a lover of shopping, Christmas decorations and music, crafts, Mexican restaurants, puzzles, and Hallmark movies. Karen will be particularly remembered for her generosity, optimism, humor, selflessness, and, above all, devotion to family and friends. Her fun-loving spirit brought joy to those around her until the very end.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Betty Sincock (Cummings) of Northport, MI, and her best friend and “sister” Kim Simmons (Mechling) of Chadds Ford, PA.

Karen is survived by husband Gregory Kirby; sons Jeffrey Kirby of Exton, PA, and Steven (Lauren) Kirby of Strongsville, OH; daughter Julienne Kirby (Alex White) of Canberra, Australia; three grandchildren Tyce & Trent Kirby, and Isabelle White; extended family “daughters” Bethany Algayer (Simmons) of Hatfield, PA, and Kelly Marquis (Simmons) of Gilbertsville, PA; aunt Shirley (Roy) Hewett of Canton, MI; brother Brad (Niar) Sincock of Jakarta, Indonesia; brother Gary (Theresa) Sincock of Howell, MI; niece Amanda (Tim) Storie of Stockbridge, MI; and three nephews Chad Sincock of Howell, MI, Mark Sincock of Savanah, GA, and Andrew Sincock of Denver, CO.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations in Karen’s honor to the following organizations:

• HUMC Early Learning Center, 7250 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707, (https://elchockessin.weebly.com).
• Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, 4701 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19713, (https://giving.christianacare.org/ and designate Helen Graham Cancer Center).
• Williams Syndrome Association, 570 Kirts Blvd. Suite 223, Troy, MI 48084-4153, (https://williams-syndrome.org/make-donation).