Karen Catherine George of Sharon passed away peacefully at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 26, 2017, in her home, surrounded by family.  She was 78.

Karen was born September 3, 1938, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and was raised by her adoptive parents, James and Eleanor Frost.  She was a 1956 alumna of Putnam (CT) High School and received an associate degree in 1958 from Mount Ida College for Women, Newton, Massachusetts.

She married Joseph A. George in 1960 and moved to the Shenango Valley in 1964 when he began taking over the family business, Joy Cone Co., Hermitage.  Karen and Joe had four children together.

After dedicating herself to raising her children, she graduated in 1991, at age 53, from Sharon Regional Health System School of Nursing and began working as an RN.  She was employed by Sharon Regional Health System, Jameson Hospital in New Castle, Flagstaff (AZ) Medical Center and Northland Hospice and Palliative Care, also Flagstaff.  Karen embraced the nursing profession and gained particular satisfaction in helping her hospice patients during her last nursing position.  She retired from nursing in 2003.

Karen moved to Flagstaff in 1995 to be near her son, David, and his family and help with her first grandchild.  She loved living in Flagstaff and enjoyed hiking and traveling around the Southwest.  She returned with her family to Sharon in 2003.

Karen was of the Christian faith and attended Grace Chapel Community Church, Hermitage, and most recently, New Life Community Church, Vienna, Ohio.  Karen was a dedicated mother and grandmother throughout her life.  Her greatest joy was her grandchildren, whom she loved spending time with.  She was immensely proud of each and every one of them.  She was also active in the Quota Club of Hermitage and enjoyed her friendships there.

Surviving are four children, Shane J.W. George, Farrell; Sharon L. George, Mercer; David F. George and his wife Mary Beth, Sharon; and Aaron M. George and his wife Dora, Huntington Beach, CA; five beloved grandchildren, to whom she was lovingly known as Mor Mor, Emma Catherine George, Hannah Valeri George, Gabriela Zarife George, Lily Grace George and Jacob Anthony George; her former husband, Joseph A. George, Sharon; a brother, Quentin Frost and his wife Cecille, Putnam, CT; and several nieces and nephews.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Carol Toole; and three brothers, Wesley, Jack and David.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin PL, Boston, Massachusetts 02215; or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2017 , in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Private funeral service will be held Thursday, March 30, 2017 , in the funeral home.