Karyn Witzel

Karyn Witzel World Traveler Favorite Aunt Karyn Elaine Witzel, 51, of Westfield, passed away peacefully at her residence, Friday September 28, 2012. Born on May 26, 1961, she was 8 lbs 7 oz, with blue eyes, blonde hair—a beautiful baby if there ever was one. Karyn grew up in Westfield attending Grant School, Roosevelt Jr. high and Westfield High. After graduating WHS she attended Lycoming College. She did not seem to have a vision or focus on a career. One day a friend asked if she would like to work for her in the garment industry in New York. Karyn's world expanded, transforming the 23 year old Westfield girl into a world traveler. With her family watching from the window she stepped into the black stretch limo that took her to Kennedy Airport on her first overseas business trip to the Far East. She returned with a new understanding of what she had experienced in such a different culture. At age 28 Karyn decided she had enough of the garment business and yearned to see the world. She cashed in her savings and bought a ticket offered by TWA airlines. It cost $2500 and it allowed you to travel around the world. The rules were you had to continue in the same direction and you had a year to complete the travel. With very little planning and a lot of guts she set out for Madrid where she stayed first at the family home of a Westfield friend. She met up with her friend Rosalie and they journeyed together for most of the year—Paris, Italy, Greece, India, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. Along the way they met new friends. When they ran out of money they worked at various jobs. Karyn stayed in touch with her parents every two weeks calling from the American Express Office when she could find one. It was the journey of a lifetime. She returned home on the deadline—one year later. After that she moved into Manhattan and became a New York girl. She worked as a director for Image Info Company and ultimately for The Support Group where she ran the New York Office. Her field of expertise was as a custom programmer in Filemaker Pro. Throughout her work life Karyn was recognized as intelligent, hardworking, loyal, and honest--an employee who was trusted to not only do what was requested but to exceed every expectation. She often traveled to The Suppport Group home office in Boston and stayed in the Hampton Inn. When she told the hotel staff there she would not be returning, they had a farewell party for her. You couldn't not love Karyn. She was not only striking and beautiful-5' 11' with an added 3 inches for those stiletto heels she wore, she was funny, and kind, a loving daughter and the undisputed big sister to her sisters, Susan and Lauren and brother Tom. Karyn became Aunt Karyn when her first niece Juliette arrived. Eventually there were 7 more nieces and nephews and Karyn became A.K.also known as "Favorite Aunt" Karyn. To them she was the coolest aunt. She drove a black mini coop convertible, always dressed in the latest fashion, gave the best presents, had sleepovers and let them write silly things on the wall in the attic bedroom. Getting a sleepover date with A.K. was a big deal. Karyn had an incredible memory for detail. She could recall the names of people in books she read years ago, or lines in movies or TV shows. Her favorite show was Seinfeld and she could quote lines from every episode. Karyn was a woman who believed in facing your fears. She was a writer who yearned to be published; She started her own programming company; she took up sky diving; she did standup comedy at a club in New York. Karyn's most cherished quality was as a friend. She would always listen and never betray a confidence. She made and kept so many friends throughout her life. Karyn is survived by her father, Bruce Witzel, mother and stepfather, Janet and Ralph Defiore, sister Susan Witzel, brother and sister in law Thomas Witzel and Lisa Travaglini, sister and brother in law Lauren and Ed Stravach, brother in law Jon Diaz, step brother John Defiore, step sister Karen Mullane, nieces and nephews Juliette Diaz, Michael, Gabrielle, Matthew and Samantha Stravach, Christopher, Alissa and Rachel Witzel. Visitation will be Friday October 5 at Gray's Funeral Home, 318 E. Broad Street, Westfield from 1 to 4 PM. Memorial tributes will be shared from 4 to 5 PM at Gray's. In lieu of flowers please consider St Barnabas Hospice 95 Old Short Hills Road West Orange NJ 07052