Karen A. Uhrin

Age 75, of Mount Lebanon, on Saturday, August 6, 2022. Beloved wife for 52 years of John W. Uhrin; daughter of the late Edward P. and Shirley (Holloway) Schiller; sister of the late Kathy Maass; cherished aunt of Alicia (Paul) Connolly, Ellie (Tim) Barry and Adam Maass; loving great-aunt of Paul, Julia, Ben and Andie.

Karen was born in Philadelphia on July 18, 1947.  She was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at the early age of 7.  For 68 years she struggled with the disease, and she took meticulous measures to control her battle with her diabetes.  After several recent hospitalizations, she finally was granted a peaceful transition from her pain into the next life.

Fifty-four years ago, Karen met her husband when they were both students at the University of Heidelberg in Germany.  After college graduation, she moved to Pittsburgh to be with John in Pittsburgh in 1969.  In December of that year, they were married in Philadelphia while a snowstorm raged.

For several years, Karen taught German at Mt. Lebanon high school.  She returned to graduate school and acquired a graduate degree in Counseling in 1974.  She worked as a counselor in Hollidaysburg for 10 years, and then joined the counseling center at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

When her illness forced her to retire early, Karen turned her talents to serve as a chef for the Capuchin Franciscans.  Her abilities in the kitchen were extraordinary; her meals for her family and friends were legendary.

Along with her deep interest in the many aspects of food and nutrition, she loved to get lost in her garden.  She would spend hours among her vegetables and herbs, and she turned the bounty into healthy, delicious fare every day.  All meals were prepared from scratch.

Karen continued her education by studying the Italian language for over 20 years.  She enjoyed traveling and made numerous trips to Italy to spend time with her closest friends.  She enjoyed so many celebrations with her many friends and family, whom she loved dearly.  And most of all, she loved John.

In Karen’s name, please consider making a contribution to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or the American Heart Association.