Karen V. Sepesky Salotti – Ahwatukee, Ariz.

Karen V. Sepesky Salotti passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022, at home, surrounded by her loving husband of 55 years, Vince, and daughter, Kara. She was his best pal and Kara’s best friend! Karen had three cancer surgeries and spent three months in Banner Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz., bravely battling this disease. Karen was born on May 5, 1945, to parents Jeanne and Andrew Sepesky of Monessen. Karen attended Monessen High School, was a majorette and had the nickname “Sunshine” for her outgoing, loving personality. She later worked as secretary for the Monessen Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Joseph Pallone, and worked at the courthouse in Greensburg. Karen was the fraternity sweetheart of APD, Gannon University, Erie, Pa., while dating the love of her life, Vince Salotti. After their marriage in 1966, they relocated to Tempe, Ariz., where Vince was employed by Motorola SPS. Karen worked at the phone office in Phoenix, Ariz., before giving birth to two children, Christopher J. Salotti in 1969, and Kara L. Salotti in 1971. Karen and the family relocated to Mechanicsburg, Pa., in 1979, where they resided for five years, and then moved to Doylestown, Pa., for 10 years. Karen was employed there at McDonald’s and then Kutz Elementary School as a secretary. The family relocated to Phoenix in 1993 and Karen spent the next 26 years working as a teacher’s aide at Family of Christ, Lutheran Preschool, Ahwatukee, Ariz., where she was so loved by the young children and their parents. She retired from there in May 2021. Karen was always very active and couldn’t stand not working.She was almost immediately hired as a teacher’s aide at Whiz Kidz Preschool in Ahwatukee, Ariz., where she was employed until her passing. Karen and Vince resided in Ahwatukee, Ariz., since their return in 1993 and are members of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Ahwatukee, Ariz. Karen was preceded in death by her father, Andrew; mother, Jeanne; brother, Vincie; sister, Joanne Core; brother, Ozzie Sepesky; and most recently her brother and former Mayor of Monessen, James Sepesky. Also, sadly, their son Christopher J. Salotti passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 29, 2020. Karen was always so active, especially with young children. She will be remembered for her loving smile and caring attitude while working with the children and their parents at the preschools where she was employed. Karen had many, many friends and loved going back to her hometown, Monessen, where she would meet with some of her high school “pals” and was constantly in demand for breakfast, lunch or dinner get-togethers with her friends. Karen loved sports and would always watch the Steelers and Arizona State football on television, along with most other sporting telecasts like golf, one of her husband’s lifelong passions. Karen is survived by her husband, Vince; daughter, Kara and her fiancé Neil Oleary; grandchildren, Ian and Madelyn Salotti and their mom, Rebecca Safty; sisters, Ramona Sapone and Nida Sungala of Monessen and Valeria Crevier of Gurnee, Ill.; sister-in-law, Carol Sepesky of Monessen, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Arrangements are being made for cremation and a celebration of life will be held in the near future at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Ahwatukee, Ariz. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society in honor of Karen.