Karen Lee Mulligan

Karen Lee Mulligan, 82, of Bedford, VA formerly of Pennsylvania, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, surrounded by family.

Karen was born on September 25, 1942, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Leland Oesterling and Marcella Grabe Oesterling. She was one of twelve children and an aunt to over 100 nieces and nephews!

Karen retired as a school administration secretary in Butler County, PA. She leaves behind her daughters, Sheryl Freedman of Knoxville, TN, and Pamela Mulligan of Lynchburg, VA; 10 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three siblings, Kay Anette Kuhn, Charles Warren Oesterling, and Ronald Loyal Oesterling.

Karen is remembered by her daughters for her gentle nature and her unprejudiced love of people. Her grandchildren remember her teaching them needlework, baking, playing Scrabble, and watching countless hours of Murder, She Wrote, Walker, Texas Ranger, and NCIS with them. She will always be remembered for her kindness, sass, and her contagious laugh by those who loved her.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to the staff at Bedford, VA, County Nursing Home, who meticulously cared for Karen, going above and beyond in their compassion, laughing with her, and keeping her company—leaving us with a sense of peace knowing she received such loving care.

The family will hold a private memorial service for Karen in her hometown of Butler, Pennsylvania, in the spring of next year.

In lieu of flowers; if you have a memory with Karen that you would like to share with the family, please send a note to the following address: 9920 Lyons Mill Road, Owings Mills, Maryland, 21117.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.