Two Beloved Hatboro-Horsham Educators Pass Away Within Days

Photo caption: Karen Newell, left, and Carol Meyer, right. 

A pair of beloved educators and members of the Hatboro-Horsham area community have passed away.

Karen Newell, 48, died on November 28 after a long battle with breast cancer. Carol Meyer, 70, died on November 25.

The Hatboro-Horsham Education Association posted the following message of grievance on Wednesday.

The loss of two members of the Hatboro-Horsham community staggers us all. We offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Carol Meyer and Karen Newell, beloved educators and community members. We mourn these fine women with whom we have been honored to share our schools.

The obituaries of both women are included below. May they rest in peace.

Karen Newell Obituary courtesy Ciavarelli Funeral Homes.

Karen L. Newell (Owens), 48, of Hatboro, PA, died on November 28, 2015 at Abington Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving family, after a brave fight with cancer.

She was the beloved wife of Marc D. Newell. She was born in Elkins Park, PA on September 24, 1967 to James and Gail (Houck) Owens of Horsham, PA. Karen was a graduate of Archbishop Wood High School class of 1985, Bloomsburg University class of 1989, and achieved her Master’s degree in Education from Arcadia University.

Karen was employed as a Teacher, beginning her career at St. Catherine of Siena School and then taught for the Hatboro-Horsham School District at Simmons Elementary School. Karen loved to teach, she was sad to see a school year end, but always looked forward to the beginning of a new one.

She enjoyed being a home body and spending time with her husband, two daughters and her black lab “Tucker.” Karen loved spending her summers on Long Beach Island and quality time with her family.

In addition to her husband and parents, she is survived by two daughters Emily and Abbey Newell both of Hatboro, her brother James Owens, Jr. and wife Emily of Dresher, her sister Kelli Edling and husband Paul of Horsham, and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Mass on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 321 Witmer Rd., Horsham, PA. The Viewing will be Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. at the Emil J. Ciavarelli Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 951 E. Butler Pike, Ambler and Thursday from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Church.

Interment will be in Whitemarsh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Karen’s name can be sent to an education fund for her daughters. Karen Newell Memorial Education Fund c/o TD Bank 929 Horsham Road Horsham, PA 19044.

Obituary of Carol Meyer courtesy Shelly Funeral Homes.

Carol L. Meyer, a resident of Hatboro since 1974, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 25 2015, at her residence. She was 70.

Carol was the loving wife of Adrian L. Meyer. They enjoyed 50 wonderful years of marriage. She also is survived by a son, Joshua (who resides in New Britain); daughter, Tracy Chillemi (who lives with her husband, Richard and children in Horsham), and Kristin Mayhew (who lives with her husband, Justin and children in Fairfield, Conn.) Carol also is survived by her brother, Scott Gingrich; and her sister, Cathy Oakes. She was the devoted Mom Mom to her grandchildren, Grady, Alaina, Vivian, Fiona, Avery and Carly. Mom Mom was admired and deeply loved by all of her grandchildren.

Born in Hagerstown, Md., Carol was the daughter of the late Richard and Isabell Gingrich.

Carol loved being a teacher and shaped the minds and touched the hearts of generations of children. She taught elementary education for over 40 years and was proud to have started her career at the Stove Prairie Elementary School, a one room school house in the Rocky Mountains near Fort Collins, Colo. Carol then spent 31 years teaching first and second grade at the Crooked Billet Elementary School in Hatboro. She was also an active member of Lehman Church in Hatboro where she was a member of the Church choir, the bell choir and the Eunice Circle. Carol also taught vacation bible school at Lehman.

Carol was an avid golfer and enjoyed being a member of the Doylestown Country Club for more than 25 years.

Carol’s family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, and from 10 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, at the Lehman Church, 300 S. York Road, Hatboro. Carol’s memorial service will begin at 11 a.m., Tuesday, at the church.

Memorial contributions in Carol’s name may be made to the Crooked Billet Elementary School, 101 Meadowbrook Ave., Hatboro, PA 19040 or to Gift of Life Donor Program, Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 N. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19123.

To send condolences to the family, please visit the funeral home Web site below.Shelly Funeral Home,