It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Karen D. Janko on July 14, 2026, at the age of 74. Born on July 27, 1951, in Jersey City, Karen passed away peacefully at home in Chesapeake, Virginia, surrounded by her devoted husband of 53 years and their three loving children.
Karen was a devoted wife, a remarkable mother, and a deeply cherished grandmother. Her family was the center of her world and her greatest source of pride and joy.
Karen possessed an extraordinary gift for music and was an accomplished pianist. One of her proudest achievements was the distinguished honor of performing at Carnegie Hall.
Karen may not have considered herself a chef, but she gave her family something far more memorable: a lifetime of stories around the dinner table. While her cooking was often more memorable than culinary, one dish, affectionately known as “Shloop,” became a beloved family tradition.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Irene and Robert Schindler, and her brother, Robert Schindler.
She leaves behind a family who loved her deeply: her devoted husband of 53 years, Robert Janko; her daughter, Kyra Arnold; her sons, Sean Janko and his wife, Lisa, and Douglas Janko; and seven beloved grandchildren: Kayleigh, Alekzander, Logan, William, Orianna, Payton, and Eva.
