Karen J. Bright passed peacefully on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at Lifecare Hospice in Wooster, Ohio.

 

She was born October 2, 1942, to the late William J. and Helen Jeanne Ott in Orrville, Ohio.  Graduated from Jeromesville High School in 1962 and the Ohio State School of Cosmetology in 1963.  On May 30, 1964, she married the love of her life Thomas R. Bright.

 

Left to cherish her memory in addition to her husband, are her children Teresa (Geoff) Hobe and Tom (Tara) Bright.  Grandchildren Abigail and Brendan Hobe, Emellia (James) Jones, Alex Frey; Aubrey, Malachi, Vivianne, and Cassiel Bright.  Great grandchildren William and Elaina Jones, Ellora Filipovich.  Siblings Dean (Peggy) Ott, Sandy (Randy) Goudy, Bob (Becky) Ott, and Bill (Judy) Ott.

 

Daughter Shelby "Shelley" Frey and granddaughter Allison Frey died previously.

 

Karen started her work career in cosmetology.  Working for a year in Ohio and then moving to Alaska with her husband in 1964.  She worked at Top O’ the Hill Beauty Salon for 15 years.  When Karen and Tom moved back to Ohio in 1978, they purchased a farm and Sunny Slope General Store.  They worked side by side at Sunny for 37 years.

 

Karen loved her family, farm life, knitting, crochet, gardening, cooking, preserving the garden goodness that she and Tom worked hard to grow, kissing babies, and befriending the elderly.

 

Graveside services will be at Nashville Cemetery on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 11:00.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Lifecare Hospice, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster.  Ohioshospice.org.