Karen Duda Hermiller, 83 of Wakefield, Massachusetts, a loved and cherished friend, daughter, and mother passed away on July 18, 2024. On the cusp of her 84th birthday she became ill and despite heroic efforts, could not be saved. She was born in Pittsburgh on July 27, 1940, to Michael Ki Duda and his beautiful wife, Vern Fincik Duda. Her dad was a sports coach and leading educator, eventually becoming president of California University in Pennsylvania. Karen was the precocious pet of her parents. Her father took her to see "Gone with the Wind" on Good Friday when she was 5 and it inspired her ever-after love of movies. During summers with the family in Rockwood she roamed the woods and creek. Smart and pretty, she was in the Monessen High School plays as a scheming murderess, a chaste bride and sultry gypsy. She loved years of reunions with cherished friends. Karen was an honor student and won the national debate society competition for an essay on thrift. The prize came with scholarship money (her father refused) and a trip to Europe, where she drank champagne on her 18th birthday at the Place Vendome Hotel in Paris with style wearing a sequin sheath dress. College started at Northwestern, where she made lifelong friends and they transferred to Ohio State, where Karen fell in love with John Hermiller. Married in June 1962, they honeymooned in Florida and stayed there until after the birth of their daughter, Heidi. They were in Louisville, Ky., by the time their son, Michael, was born. Karen was a Girl Scout leader, a dried flower artist, member of the local gourmet club and avid enthusiast for the Kentucky Derby, throwing fantastic parties with spectacular hats! They moved to Massachusetts and Karen started a new chapter working for the League of Women Voters, the school committee, The Ledger, a newspaper in Wakefield, and then creating The Syndicate, an advertising agency, and owning PIP printing in Woburn. Never one to sit still, she loved her son's sports games and her costume designer daughter's theatrical productions. Karen always worked because she connected with people, outfitting clients at the Rada boutique, selling fragrance for Lord and Taylor, fine china at Neiman Marcus or even Macy's selling oriental rugs. Karen traveled the world, seeing the Great Wall of China, elephants in Singapore, cruises to Santorini, tea time in London and was happiest at the beach anywhere, anytime. However, to all who knew Karen, her favorite phrase was, "Is it time to party?" Not really a question, because, for Karen, it was ALWAYS time to party. Later in life, she reconnected with an old friend, John, and loved his family, children and grandchildren, spending time with them in Connecticut. Whether it was Florida, with her son Michael and daughter-in-law Pilar going to Disney World, again, or with her daughter Heidi and son-in-law John sitting outside by the pool with a frozen cocktail, Karen was welcomed and loved because she wanted everyone to share in the fun! Her wish was to be laid to rest in Gettysburg, PA. She loved it there and visited many times from the age of 10. She felt drawn to the battlefield and its history. We are very sad to say goodbye, but honor her wishes on Aug. 24, 2024, following an 11:30 a.m. viewing at PETER'S FUNERAL HOME; 321 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, PA., and a 1 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church; 25 W. High St. in Gettysburg with Rev. Stephen Kelley officiating, we will lay her to rest in The Evergreen Cemetery, next to the National Military cemetery where she can hear "Taps" played every summer evening at dusk. Goodbye, with all our love.

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