Karen L. Miller Newman

Karen Lee Miller-Newman, 69, of Halifax, Pennsylvania, passed away on April 22, 2026. 

Karen Lee was a bright light in the lives of those who knew and loved her. A 1974 graduate of Newport High School, Karen Lee studied horticulture at VoTech and Williamsport Area Community College. She then moved to Illinois, where she worked as a gardener for the City of Rock Island Park District. Returning to Pennsylvania, she met her future husband, Warren, in the local music scene. She opened and managed an artists’ co-op called The Taproot across from the state capitol building. After having children, she worked as a florist, a gig musician, a workshop artist, and a music therapist for Homeland Hospice. 

She had a gift for connection, making friends easily and often, while brightening up every room she entered. Her zest for life was infectious. She sought to spread light and love to everyone, reaching out with a cheerful photo, a happy memory, or a quirky pun. 

Karen Lee saw beauty and artistic potential in all things. She combined her love of art and flowers in her pressed flower work. Crocheted rag rugs and whimsical recycled plastic creations were a specialty. She shared her love of art with others in crafts workshops at festivals, kids’ camps, and workshops at local libraries and art studios. 

She spread joy through her music and knew how to captivate an audience, whether it be a crowd of children on a picnic blanket (Sing Along with KLMN-tine!) or guests at a private wedding. Her beautiful singing voice lives on in our hearts. Many of us will continue humming the chorus to her original “Rockville Bridge” every time we pass through Harrisburg. 

Karen Lee is survived by her husband, Warren Newman; her children: Eli Newman (Ileana) and Moriah Berringer (Matthew); her granddaughter, Caroline, whom Grammie loved so much; her step-father, Elmer “Bob” Baker, Jr.; her siblings: Sarah Smart (Bill), Jeffrey Miller (Shelby), Ellen Miller-Caron (Mark), and Alice Halpin; and her brother-in-law, Harry Newman (Susan). 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Edna H. Baker; her father, Franklin H. Miller; her parents-in-law, Harry and Thelma Newman; and her brother-in-law, Lani Halpin. 

We will celebrate her life with a memorial service at The Church of the Nativity and St. Steven in Newport, PA at 11:00 on June 6, 2026, followed by fellowship at Little Buffalo State Park. Please dress comfortably for an afternoon at the park. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Karen Lee’s honor to the Ned Smith Center, the Perry County Council of the Arts, the Perry Historians, or the Perry County Literacy Council. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Karen L. Miller Newman, please visit our floral store.