Karen L. Judge

Gastonia, NC Karen L. Judge, age 66, passed away on October 22, 2013 at Caromont Regional Medical Center, Gastonia. She was born November 26, 1946 in Bay City, Michigan, daughter of the late Kenneth Schiell CW4, US Army (retired) and Donna Schiell. Karen spent the last 25 years taking care of her granddaughter, Niki, after Niki's mother was unable to care for her. She adopted Niki, with her husband, Jerry, and devoted the rest of her life taking care of her. All the while she was caring for her granddaughter, she was fighting a courageous battle with cancer, that she finally lost. A celebration of Karen's life will be held will be held 11 am on Saturday at Greene Funeral Service, South Chapel, 1503 S. York Rd., Gastonia, officiated by Rev. Elizabeth J. Toler. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 pm on Friday at the funeral home. Interment is private. She is survived by: her loving husband of 29 years, Jerry Judge; daughter, Donna Lynn Craig; sisters, Paula Utecht of Keller, TX, Debbie Meyers of Wichita, KS; granddaughter, Niki R. Craig of Gastonia. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Linda McCarthy. Memorials may be made American Cancer Society, 1901 Brunswick Ave., Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28207. Arrangements are with the South Chapel of Greene Funeral Service and Crematorium, Gastonia. A guest registry is available at greenefuneral.com.