Karol Tomczak

Karol Kemnec Tomczak, age 73, of Millcreek, passed away at her residence on Saturday, July 13, 2013.

She was born in Chicago, Ill on April 3, 1940 a daughter of the late Alexander and Josephine Kemnec.

Karol graduated from Millcreek Schools and received her bachelors from Penn State Behrend and her Masters from Edinboro University in Education and a Photography Masters from NYU.

Karol was formerly a stay at home mom, who raised the art of homemaking with her friends in the 1960’s and ‘70’s. When she returned to the workforce, she worked for the Defense Investigative Service in Washington, DC and the Veteran’s Administration in Erie, PA. At the time of her passing, she was a photography Professor at Penn State Behrend.

She enjoyed the Arts, literature, cooking, storytelling and gardening. Karol was an early and outspoken proponent of women’s rights during the 1970’s.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Anthony Tomczak.

She is survived by a daughter Lisa Richards of Waldorf, MD; a son Peter Tomczak of Erie; Peter’s fiancé and Karol’s caregiver, Kelly Otero, two grandchildren: Zachary and Olivia Richards; two sisters: Barbara Burton of Marathon, FL and Nancy Cranston of Erie; two brothers: Al Kemnec, Jr. of Erie and John Kemnec of Santa Barbara, CA; and a few nieces and nephews.

Friends may attend a graveside service at Laurel Hill Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street, Erie.

Memorials may be made to SafeNet, 1702 French St Erie, PA 16501 or the Erie Art Museum, 411 State St Erie, PA 16501.