Karen Baryk

Karen Ann Baryk, of Saranac Lake at Will Rogers in Saranac Lake, died peacefully on April 14, 2023.

Having lived most of her life in New York City, late in life Karen moved with her sister to Saranac Lake to be close to their brother after their mother died.

Karen found her greatest joy in family life, and as the family grew by nieces and nephews, so, too, did her heart. She often hosted the best family parties with endless laughter, lively discussions, and lasting memories. She was famously thoughtful and would often surprise loved ones with gifts just because she was thinking of them. And she could wrap a present better than any department store Christmas helper, and we often joked about how much tape she used to get the job done!

As Karen’s mother, Anna, grew older Karen became her chief caregiver, along with her sister Lynne. Karen would often call her brother Michael with updates on how their mom was doing. Conversations would ultimately drift to talk about music and movies, a passion they shared equally. And when their mom passed at age 91, Karen, Lynne and Michael worked together to honor her legacy and preserve her memory.

Karen is best remembered for her infectious laugh and glimmer in her eyes, especially when she visited or reminisced about her grandparents’ farm in Middleburgh, New York. Although she was born a city girl and would later become a successful marketing professional for Ogilvy & Mather, Karen was always her happiest at the farm. Surrounded by nature and family, she would sit at the table, listening to the stories of her family, smiling from ear to ear.

As she grew older, and the days got harder, she often remarked about her dream to live out her days in the crisp mountain air of upstate New York. Fortunately, with the help of her family, she moved to the little village of Saranac Lake. There, on several occasions, she was able to visit with her brother and enjoy sharing a bucket of popcorn and movie.

Karen easily adjusted to her new home with her two cats, Peanut and Tara. She enjoyed her new neighbor friends and the satisfying life of the village. Her brother Michael and sister-in-law Elizabeth offered pleasant visits, telephone conversations and running errands when they became necessary. Karen surrounded herself with her special mementos and photographs that reminded her of all the good times she had and the loving people that showed up in her life along the way. She will be missed but not forgotten.

Karen is survived by her brother Michael Baryk of Saranac Lake; niece Maggie (Scott) Jacobitti of Sayville, New York; nephew David (Nicole) Baryk of East Moriches, New York; sister-in-law Elizabeth Kochar of Saranac Lake; and several cousins, grand nephews and a grand niece.

A service will be held at a later date to be determined by the family.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough funeral Home, 20 Church Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Memorial contributions in Karen A. Baryk's memory may be made to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society in care of the Funeral Home.