Karen Ann (Gausepohl) McConnell, 77, of Brick passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at her home surrounded by her family. Born in East Orange, raised in Bloomfield, Karen later married the love of her life Phil and together they raised their family in Lake Shawnee, Jefferson Township. They retired to Brick in 2007.
She was a graduate of Montclair State where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business and accounting. Mrs. McConnell was an accountant at AFI Food Distributors in Roseland / Elizabeth before retiring
She was predeceased by her loving husband of 55 years, Philip J. McConnell; parents, Horace and Wanda Gausepohl; brother, David Gausepohl; and sisters, Debbie Gausepohl and Gina Gausepohl.
Surviving are her daughters, Laura Walsh and her husband, Tom of Mechanicsville, VA and Melissa McConnell and her wife, Karyn Jarmer of Oceanport; brothers, Jeff, Greg, Kevin, and Christopher Gausepohl; and sisters, Mary Beth Battaglia, Susan Bongiorno, Diane Karpus and Lisa Gausepohl- Tarricone; as well as her six grandchildren, Mark and his wife, Katherine, Andrew, James, Luke, Jonathan, Madeleine. There are too many nieces and nephews to name but all were loved.
Karen was very active within her Greenbriar II community. A performer at heart, she entertained Greenbriar audiences with her quick witted role as Mrs. Hughes in the annual Greenbriar Follies.
She had an unbelievable talent for creating delicious baked goods that were enjoyed by all. Her Devil’s Food Cake was a family favorite.
Karen’s extensive knowledge gifted her the title of “Trivia Queen”.
She will be missed by one and all.
A memorial visitation will be held on Friday from 11am-1pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick. A prayer service will be conducted within the visitation hours. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Karen’s memory to St. Jude’s Children Research Foundation would be greatly appreciated.