Karen Seman

MANSFIELD — “Sisters help you find the most important things when you have lost them. We lost our sister, Karen A. Seman, on Thursday, May 27, 2021.”

Karen was born in Youngstown, on Aug. 26, 1964, to Mary Anne and Matthew “Red” Seman. Karen was the youngest of three sisters.

Karen loved to fish for trout, shop, paint original pieces and decorate. Karen taught herself to paint by watching Bob Ross on PBS and sold her artwork during shows and by consignment in shops under the Three Mean Sisters studio. Her taste in music was varied and Karen appreciated a Bombay Sapphire martini and good bourbon. Aptly described by friends as a “force of nature,” Karen made her presence felt by the strength of her personality. She loved to give gifts and was generous to a fault. Karen’s sense of style and fashion was notable — no one could ever wear a hat like Karen could.

A 1982 graduate of Springfield Local High School, Karen graduated from YSU in 1986, with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Her first job was “working for Dad” at Red’s Pretty Good Upholstery Shoppe, where her love of fabrics and decorating began.

Karen’s professional career took her from Ethan Allen to the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce to First Energy to MMTC. Her apprenticeship and economic development experience led Karen to Automotive YES/BMW of North America to the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center and, most recently, to RCDG in Mansfield, where she made her home among many friends.

In Mansfield, Karen served on the Richland County Transit Board, the Richland County Citizen Circle, the Workforce Investment Board and the Healthier Buckeye Council, as well as at the Madison Adult Career Center and on the Richland County Safety Council. She was a passionate supporter of the arts, a contributor to the giving box for those in need and worked with the Mansfield Beautification team. Karen believed emphatically in human rights for all people and actively advocated for her beliefs.

Karen leaves her sisters, Christine (Tom) Cerni of Canfield, with whom she made her home during her illness and Mary Anne (Michael) O’Toole of Poland. Karen is sadly missed by her cats, Beezer and Smartie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and grandparents, Agnes and Anthony Krall and Michael and Mary Seman.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 19, 2021, at Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home in Poland, with calling hours from 10 to 10:45 a.m. The Rev. Ed Stafford will officiate the funeral service at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Karen’s family thanks Hospice of the Valley for her care, and in particular Nurse Nici, for her compassionate attention to Karen.

Donations can be made, in Karen’s name, to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market St., Boardman, OH 44512.

Condolences may be sent at www.higgins-reardon.com.