Karen Joan (Kay) Cariddi

Karen Joan Cariddi, 75, died peacefully after a brief illness in Ithaca, New York on June 1,
2024, with family at her side.

She was born in East Orange, New Jersey on February 15, 1949, to Anthony and Marie
(Pacio) Cariddi, and grew up in South Orange, NJ. After graduating from Columbia High
School in 1968, Karen worked at a variety of jobs including several years as a travel agent,
which allowed her to see much of the world. She graduated from Seton Hall University as an
English major in 1978. In 1980, she became a certified legal assistant. For many years she
worked as a paralegal for the law firm of Pitney Hardin Kipp & Szuch in Morristown, NJ. In
1991, she earned a Master of Public Administration degree, also from Seton Hall University.

A lifelong interest in politics led Karen to relocate to the nation’s capital in 1994. While living in
the Fairfax and Burke suburbs around Washington, DC, she found employment in legal
support positions for National Geographic, the US Court of Appeals, various divisions in the
Department of Justice, and the US Attorney’s Office. She also worked for the Office of
General Counsel of FINRA until her retirement in 2014.

After her retirement, she moved to Fredericksburg, VA and volunteered at Holy Cross
Academy as a Library Aide. She was much loved by countless young students whom she
read to and helped with school projects. Working with children brought her great joy.

Karen was devout Catholic her entire life. In 1999, she became a member of the St. Joseph
Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites in Washington, DC, making her Definitive Promise in
2005. After moving to Fredericksburg, VA in 2016, Karen became a devoted member of the
Discalced Carmelite Secular community there. Even after moving to Ithaca in 2021 to be
closer to family as her health declined, Karen remained actively connected to the Carmelite
community as an Extended Member, right up until her death.

She is predeceased by her parents and by her beloved nephew, Samuel Loomis Cariddi.

She is survived by her brothers, Anthony (Carol Garcia), Thomas (Suzanne), and Steven
(Tamara Loomis). She also leaves behind her cherished nieces and nephews, Anthony
Cariddi, James (Kylie Ellis) Cariddi, Rachel Cariddi, Stephanie (Vincent) Ariano, and Malcolm
Cariddi, all of whom knew her as Aunt Kay.

Karen’s petite stature and unassuming nature belied an inner strength that allowed her to
overcome much adversity in her life. Those who knew her will always remember her kindness
and good humor, her unflagging religious faith, her devotion to friends and family, and her
desire to live a rich life on her own terms.

Funeral arrangements through Bangs Funeral Home of Ithaca, NY will include a mass of
Christian burial that will take place at 11:00am on June 14th, 2024 at the chapel of the Carmel
Monastery of Port Tobacco in La Plata, Maryland, where she will be interred.