Obituary of Karen Y. Linton

Vernon Center- Karen Yvonne (Slabaugh) Linton, age 75, of Vernon Center passed away peacefully in her home Monday August 24, with her loving family by her side, following a difficult battle with an autoimmune disease. Karen was born in Hartville, Ohio May 10, 1945, the daughter of Freeman Slabaugh and Catherine (Coblentz) Slabaugh. She and her husband, Bruce, and their family moved to Vernon Center in 1977. She was a graduate of Lake High School in Hartville. She also graduated from Bill Hixson's School of Floral Design in Cleveland, Ohio and was well known for her floral arrangements and her beautiful interior decorating skills. As a graduate of D'Saison School of Color Analysis in Akron, Ohio she became well known for helping women choose their most appropriate colors of clothing, etc .Karen was also a beauty consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics for several years throughout the area. Karen and her husband owned and operated The Heart's Desire Christian Book Store and Gift Shop in Oneida for 17 years, from 1977 to 1994, where she was recognized as a very successful business woman, an entrepreneur and a much enjoyed salesperson. After selling the store, Karen became a sales representative for several giftware manufacturers selling to over two hundred gift shops from the St. Lawrence River to the Pennsylvania border for another 10 years. During slack times and especially holiday seasons she greatly enjoyed working at The Olde Canning Factory, a gift shop of renown in Vernon. In the 1980's she worked a few years at The Maple Park Home, a rest home in Vernon Center, as an overnight nurses aid. Since 2015, she has worked as an in-home health aid for several elderly or disabled people from Rome, Clinton and the surrounding area. Karen was a woman of infectious and boundless humor, able to make people laugh along with her. She always exemplified compassion, kindness and service. She was founder and first chairperson of the Oneida and Canastota chapter of Christian Women's Club. Karen is survived by her husband of 44 years, Bruce W. Linton; her three children, Medea (Tim) Valdez, Chad Hoffman and Marissa (Mike) Brewster; her two step children, Daniel (Christine) Linton and Deborah (Robert) Kanel; her grandchildren, Taylor Valdez, Parker Valdez, Alan Hoffman, Gabrielle Brewster, Seth Brewster, Grace Brewster, Anthony Kanel and Alinea Kanel as well as her beloved dog, Maggie. She was predeceased by her first grandson, Bradley Linton, who died in infancy. Karen also leaves behind a brother, Carl Wayne Slabaugh, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be greatly missed by each of them.