Karen Marie Sobolewski

Karen Marie Sobolewski (Sturga), a cherished member of her family and community, gracefully departed this world on November 30, 2025, in Plantation, Florida, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous six-year battle with cancer. Born on December 13, 1943, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Karen's kindness, warmth and spirit touched the hearts of all who knew her.

Karen graduated from Springdale High School, where she was honored to serve as the Assistant Head Majorette and was elected Football Queen by her classmates. Karen, affectionately known as (Sturge) by classmates, was also a member of the National Honor Society and was active in many clubs as well as an established singer in the choir and the community. After completing her education, Karen pursued a career as a histologist at Citizens General Hospital in New Kensington. It was there that she met her beloved husband, Charles J. Sobolewski (Chuck), with whom she shared 61 wonderful years of marriage before his passing in April of this year. Together, they forged a life filled with love. Chuck’s work allowed them to travel the world together, often sharing those travels with family and close friends. Throughout the years, as Chuck focused on providing for the family, Karen held down the home-front which included moving around the country six times with three small children, while always maintaining a foundation of stability and love.

Karen's personality was as vibrant as her beautiful smile; she was known for her kindness and compassion, and she loved nothing more than being around her friends and family. A competitive soul, she found great pleasure in watching sports on TV. She bowled when living in the colder climates, switching quickly to tennis once settling in Florida. A sport that would bring her most treasured friends. Karen also loved to decorate and share her home for the holidays. She looked forward to spending those times with her friends during the Christmas season.

Karen's greatest accomplishments were those of the heart. She dedicated herself to being a wife, mother, and grandmother, a role she embraced with unwavering passion and pride. Karen could always be counted on to have a homemade meal ready at the end of the day. She loved to feed everyone that came through her door. Whether it was a quick grilled cheese or her famous pierogi, nobody went hungry in her kitchen. Karen could always be found supporting her kids and grandkids through all their various sports and activities for over 50 years. From the football/lacrosse/baseball/soccer/volleyball fields to courtrooms and auditoriums, Mom/Mema could be found hiding her eyes in fear while praying to St. Anthony to help her kids find success. She is survived by her devoted children: daughter Kristen Lahman and her husband Jason, son Kevin Sobolewski, and son Kirk Sobolewski and his wife Shannon. Her grandchildren—Katherine Sobolewski, Madison Hood and her husband Taylor, Stephanie Sobolewski, Skye Summers, Bailey Sobolewski, Trenton Sobolewski, Kaden Sobolewski, Blaize Lahman, Broden Sobolewski, and Baylor Sobolewski, as well as great grandson Declan Hood—were a constant source of joy and happiness.

She is also survived by her loving sister Janice Kane and her husband Chuck, and loving brother Ron Sturga and his wife Mary-Kay, who will forever hold her memory close to their hearts.

Karen was also preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Frances (Weinfurther) Sturga. Together they raised Karen to share the same compassion and generosity towards family and friends that came so naturally to both of them. Karen would often attribute these values to her beloved hometown of Pittsburgh.

Karen leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and resilience.

Karen’s remarkable journey through life will be celebrated and remembered by all whose lives she touched. Visitation services are scheduled for December 6, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at T. M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home in Plantation, Florida. A Mass in her honor will take place on December 9, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Saint Gregory Catholic Church.

As we remember Karen, may we find solace in the love she shared and the laughter she inspired. She may have departed from our sight, but she will forever remain in our hearts.