Karen A. Jeffreys

Karen Alexander Jeffreys, 82, of Baldwinsville passed away Friday August 28, 2020 at Loretto Health and Rehabilitation with her husband of 63 years at her bedside. Karen was born in Newark, NJ and raised in Packanack Lake, N.J. She was a 1960 graduate of Fairleigh Dickenson University's College of Nursing with her Associates in Applied Science degree as a Registered Nurse. In NJ, Karen worked for the Passaic County Contagion Hospital, which transitioned to the Preakness Passaic County Nursing Home. In 1982, Karen relocated to Liverpool with her family, and began working for Loretto Health and Rehabilitation. Karen's passion for eldercare culminated in becoming a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in 1998 after receiving her Bachelors in Healthcare Administration from SUNY Empire State College. As a nursing home administrator, Karen was an empathetic, non-judgmental, and passionate leader. She had no qualms about assisting on one of the nursing units if they were short-staffed, or sitting with an elder who needed someone to listen to their concerns. She was truly a role model for aspiring eldercare nurses and administrators. In addition to her career in eldercare, Karen was most proud of her children, grandchildren, and her church family at United Church of Christ in Bayberry. As a parishioner of UCC in Bayberry, Karen was involved in many aspects of church life, including the church choir, the Oneida Association of the UCC, and attended several National UCC Synods on behalf of the church. In a twist of fate, Karen was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia over the last two years of her life. Through PACE CNY, Karen was able to remain in her own home until she was unsafe to do so. The caregivers and staff at PACE gave Karen and John a quality of life that they would not have realized without their assistance.

Karen was predeceased by her parents, Milton and Catherine Alexander, and her son John (Jeff) Jeffreys in May 2020. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 63 years, John Sr. (Jack) of Baldwinsville; daughter, Linda Lawrence of Syracuse; sons, Brian of Baldwinsville and Christopher (Kimarie) of Tucson, AZ; her sister Jane (Ken) Hess of Landing, NJ and her brother, Bruce (Kathy) Alexander of Candlewood Lake, CT; her brother-in-law Edwin (Kathleen) Jeffreys of State College, PA; 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to express gratitude to everyone at PACE CNY who supported Karen and John. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date, when it is safe to do so. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the United Church of Christ in Bayberry, 215 Blackberry Rd. Liverpool, NY 13090.