Karen Blomain

Karen Blomain, a retired Keystone College and Kutztown University professor,poet and novelist died on Wednesday at the home of her daughter, in Union Dale, PA.

When faced with grave illness, Karen continued to say with a smile that she was "lucky, lucky". Her greatest joys in life were her family, her travels, her innumerable best friends and teaching how to write from the heart. All who knew her realize that we are the ones who are "lucky, lucky" to have had her in our lives.

Her first novel, A TRICK OF LIGHT first published in 2000 began what was to be a trilogy delineating the lives of three women over a period of sixty years. THE SEASON OF LOST CHILDREN, the second novel in the series, carried the lives of Blomain's main characters into another generation. The third book in the trilogy, I'M STILL ME, remains unfinished. A highly regarded poet, she authored several books of poetry and her work appeared in numerous literary periodicals.

Karen Blomain, born in Scranton, was the daughter of Thomas and Lucille Blomain. Survivors are her husband, playwright Michael Downend, brother Thomas Blomain and fiancé©e Jessica Engel, her sisters Lucille Lyman and Donna Vandegrift, her children James McHale, Dr. Kielty Turner and husband R.J. Turner, Brett McHale and wife Lori McHale, and grandchildren Kayla McHale, Colin and Claire Turner, Lilliana and Dylan McHale. Also surviving are her six step-children, John, Mark, Patrick, and Aaron Downend, Kenwyn Loefflad and Amanda Downend Modrovsky.

Contributions in Karen Blomain's memory can be made to the Karen Blomain Memorial Fund established at Marywood University, Scranton. Arrangements for a Celebration of Karen's life will be made at the convenience of the family.

 Service Information