Karen C. Zalewski, age 71, of Erie, died at her residence after a brief illness on Tuesday, February 8, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 27, 1939, in New York City, N.Y., the daughter of the late Marian Carlson Hessinger and Emil Hessinger. Karen was a long-time homemaker, although she did work as a nurse's aide. She was a member of Grace Church, Christian Women's Club, TOPS, and she volunteered at Grace Church as a receptionist. She enjoyed volunteering with the Christian Women's Club, being involved in church functions, gardening, scrabble, dominoes, and card games. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Anthony Zalewski in 2008 and one brother, Rich Hessinger. She is survived by her children, Mark Ericson (Michele) of Erie, David Ericson of Portland, Maine, Alexandra M. Laughlin (Patrick) of Erie; and four step-children, Robert S. Vann Rox of Erie, Nadine Miller (Tom) of Lewistown, Pa., Daniel A. Zalewski of Boulder, Colo., and Miriam Schultz (Tim) of Home, Pa.; three brothers, Carl Hessinger (Marianne), Fred Hessinger (Donna), and Robert Hessinger (Cindy); one sister-in-law, Cheryl Hessinger; 10 grandchildren, Danielle and Drew Ericson, Miranda, Robyn, Cherise, and Lillian Schultz, Jennifer Goode (Eric, with two great-grandchildren, Ty and Cole), Melissa Singh (Arjune), Brenda Clepper, and Tamara Miller. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd., on Friday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday at Grace Church, 7300 Grubb Rd., McKean, Pa. from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. conducted by the Rev. Al Detter. Interment Laurel Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society , 2115 West 38th St., Erie, PA 16508.
