Karen A. Brown

Karen A. Brown, 68, of Shrewsbury, PA, passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Karen was born on January 9, 1957 in Lansdowne, MD to the late William J. Martin, Sr. and Doris M. (Burns) Martin.

She attended St. Clements before moving to Reisterstown, MD where she graduated with honors from Franklin High School, while lettering in field hockey, Class of 1975.

After that she attended Towson University where she received her math degree with honors.

Karen started her professional career as a computer program systems analysist at Commercial Credit in downtown Baltimore. While there she began to pursue her master’s from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, MD. After CC she worked at Control Data, SCI in Woodlawn and First Data Resources in Hunt Valley. Karen was then employed by the IRS before finishing her career working for the US Treasury Department in TIGA. Throughout her career she maintained many friendships and was looked up to for advice, problem solving and never hesitating to help.

Karen loved to volunteer at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. She did a lot of community volunteer work and helped with prayer groups. She was the type of woman that loved to do whatever she could to help anyone she came across.

Karen is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Richard J. Brown, two children and six grandchildren which includes her son Richard H. Brown (Nicole) and their children Ava, Sean, and Jaiden; her daughter Lauren E. Watson (Marshall) and their children Owen, Rylee and Cora; brothers, William Martin Jr., Ronald Martin and Jeffery Martin.

She was preceded in death by her brother Rodney Martin.

Family and friends are invited to a viewing on Friday, September 26, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Hartenstein Funeral & Cremation Care, Inc., 24 N. Second St. New Freedom, PA 17349. A Prayer Vigil will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 315 N. Constitution Ave., New Freedom, PA with a viewing one hour prior from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. John the Baptist Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Religious Education Dept; 315 N. Constitution Ave., New Freedom, PA.