Obituary: Karen Sue Finkelstein

Karen Sue Finkelstein, 77, died on April 30, 2019.  Karen is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, John and Marylan Karp; sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Tom Mahone; daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Christopher Hall; and grandchildren Jordan and Andrew Hall.  She is preceded in death by her husband Marvin David Finkelstein; brother and sister-in-law Sol and Sharon Karp; and parents, Ben and Jeannette Karp.

Karen was born November 29, 1941, in Vincennes, Ind., and graduated in 1963 from Jewish Hospital in St. Louis with a nursing degree.  Karen and Marvin were married for 50 years. Karen was a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend and grandmother. She was a talented artist, specializing in colored charcoal and pastel paintings. 

Karen loved to play tennis, cards and Rummikub. She could always be found in the game room where she lived. At the young age of 48, Karen was hit by a car as a pedestrian in Jamaica and spent close to 30 years as a member of the disabled community. During all those years she  advocated for disability rights and teaching nursing students, medical personnel and those around her about the special needs and restrictions of those with spinal cord injuries.

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Her family and friends will always remember her as an incredibly strong and courageous woman who always saw the positivity in people and situations.

A memorial service was held May 13 at Congregation Dor Tamid. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either Congregation Dor Tamid or to One Good Deed, a program of Jewish Family & Career Services which supports people with disabilities. One Good Deed’s address is 4549 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, 30338. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.