Polly Ballantyne on Facebook My next door neighbor, friend since the spring of 2nd grad, classmate at Jefferson Elem and Jr. High, partner in all sorts of neighborhood hijinks, mutual bridesmaids, and forever friend, Karen Gangloff Musilek, died Thursday evening, 5/30/2024. Karen lived with paraplegia for almost 3 years after breaking her back three times. She battled pneumonia 3 times, most recently with her kidneys shutting down. She was not able to rally from this setback. Karen Musilek June 8, 1954 — May 30, 2024 Pittsburgh Karen Gangloff Musilek peacefully died the evening of May 30, 2024 in her Mt. Lebanon home, surrounded by family. Karen is the wife of her loving husband, Donald F. Musilek, sister of Richard P. Gangloff, sister-in-law of Margaret M. Gangloff, Aunt of Michael R. and Martha D. Gangloff, and Great Aunt of their children Emily M. and Alex M. Gangloff. For the past several years, Karen was homebound with severe illnesses and faithfully cared for by her husband, Don. Karen was born in Shadyside Hospital in June of 1954 and attended Mt. Lebanon schools through high school, from which she graduated in 1972. She then graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1976, with a BA degree in Elementary and Special Education. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi honorary education society. During college, Karen was a unit director at Camp AIM for special needs children, was part of the camp’s Saturday Program, and worked for the ACLD summer program. After college, Karen worked at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit III as a teacher, a position she held for 29 years. She first taught Learning Support for K-6 grades, then worked in the Unit’s Project DART program teaching autistic preschool children. Teaching was Karen’s passion. She always believed that you could find good in every child, no matter the disability. Karen married Don in July of 1989. Together, they faithfully cared for her mother until her death in 2009. Don and Karen extensively traveled, collected Nippon China, and enjoyed a string of much loved poodles. Karen will be deeply missed by those many family, students, and friends whom she has touched. Karen’s family thanks her special care givers. The family will receive friends at the Slater Funeral Home (1650 Green Tree Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220) for viewings at 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on June 3rd, and from 1:00 to 2:30 pm on June 4th. A service to celebrate Karen’s life will follow the June 4th viewing at Slater’s Chapel, lead by Rev. Wray Fanton. The family invites all to a commitment service at Jefferson Park Memorial Cemetery immediately departing from the funeral home. obit