Karen Harris Gonzalez

Karen Harris Gonzalez passed from this life on April 14, 2023, at the age of 71.

She was born on June 28, 1951, in Kingston, NY, to John W. Harris, Jr. and Shirley Boyer Harris. Two years later she was joined by her brother, Gary. The family lived in Kingston, NY until May of 1963 when they relocated to Rochester so Shirley could take the job of Store Manager for the Spiegel Catalog store at West Ridge Plaza. Karen attended East Rochester Elementary school, Hoover Dr. Jr High School, and Greece Arcadia High School, and as a good student was often referred to as the "teacher's pet."

Karen had two daughters, Michelle, born in 1970, and Laurie, born in 1973. Karen and Laurie's Dad, Lou, and the two girls lived at Churchville Greene, right next door to Karen's Mom and stepdad, Don, who were affectionately referred to as Grandpa Moose and Grandma Moose by the girls. A few years after Don and Shirley moved to Florida in 1984, Karen, by then a single Mom, followed along and moved just a few blocks away in Edgewater, just south of Daytona Beach. Karen met Homero in Ormond Beach while he was traveling for work in February 1992. They were married in December of 1994 and the next year they moved to Abilene, Texas to be closer to Homero's family after his father died. About this time the amazing gift of grandchildren began to appear. First Ryan, then Brennan, then in 2004 Michelle and Laurie both gave birth to 2 beautiful daughters less than 24 hours apart, Giuliana and Shannon, then Emelia came along in 2007 to round out the group. 2004 was also the year Karen and Homero moved to Rochester to help care for her Dad.
Career-wise Karen had worked with her then husband Lou at Rochester Business Solutions back in the 70's, and later worked for law firms in Rochester, Daytona, and Abilene, most recently with McConville, Considine, Cooman, and Morin in Rochester.

Karen was smart, funny, and had a wonderful gift of hospitality. She loved her Lord, she loved her friends and her pets, she was an excellent quilter and singer, and loved the springtime, her flowers, and baking. Her biscotti is legendary. Above all Karen loved her family.

She is survived by her husband, Homero Gonzalez, daughters Michelle Cicchetti and Laurie Elliott, grandchildren Ryan, Brennan, Giuliana, Shannon, and Emelia, brother Gary (Alice) Harris, and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be missed by all because she was loved by all, and they knew she loved them all back.

The family wishes to say thank you to the staff in the 4400 unit at Unity Hospital for their compassionate care for Karen, and to Dr. John Robb who visited her every day in the hospital, and whose care for her and her family went above and beyond.

A memorial service to celebrate Karen's life will be held at Rochester Christian Reformed Church on Saturday, April 29, at 10:00am. The service will be live streamed through the church's YouTube channel at Rochester CRC Livestream


In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Donate to St. Jude's