Karen Ann (Thor) Sheehan

Karen Ann (Thor) Sheehan, 84, of Toledo, OH, beloved and respected by so many, passed away Thursday April 3, 2025. Karen was born on October 27, 1940, to Stanley and Delphine (Zygila) Thor. Karen was the Senior Class Secretary and graduated third in her class at Notre Dame Academy in 1958. Despite the doubts professors had for women enrolling in pharmacy, she was the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy Valedictorian of the Class of 1962. She was a member of the Kappa Lambda Sigma, a women’s pharmacy sorority. She passed fourth in the state for her Ohio State Pharmacy exam boards.

Karen had a full professional life as a Registered Pharmacist.  She worked as a student at Mercy. She then worked at Blanchard Valley in Findlay, taking the bus there and home every weekend. She returned to Toledo, working at the old Flower Hospital. It is where she would meet another pharmacist, Thomas Sheehan, and they married on December 1, 1967. Daughter Kathleen was born in February 1969, and Leslie in June 1970. The family tragically lost its husband and father Thomas in April 1971. Karen’s many family members supported her and her girls to be able to continue to work and run a household.

She worked at Vonewegens Pharmacies on Navarre and Star & Broadway, when the girls were in grade school, also being a Room Mother, and  teaching Religious Education classes at St John the Baptist. At the age of 40 she began working at St. Vincent Hospital, in both the inpatient and outpatient departments. She was known for her organizational skills, as well as her baking skills, making every team member a cake on their birthday. She continued to work at St. V’s for another 40 years. She “retired”, but continued working part time until the age of 80.

Karen had many interests and activities over the years. She was a talented seamstress. She enjoyed lunches with her classmates from Notre Dame Academy, and coworkers from St V’s. She cherished her home of over 50 years, spending time doing  jigsaw and crossword puzzles,  watching her musicals and operettas. She was an avid reader, especially romance novels and anything British. Spending time with her daughters and grandchildren and great-granddaughter meant the world to her.

Left to cherish her memories are daughters Kathleen Shade and Leslie Neary; her grandchildren, Sam (MaryAnn Bachor) Shade, Grace Shade, Molly Neary, and Maggie Neary; her great-grandaughter Holly; her sister, Ellen (Ron) Matta ; treasured nieces, nephews, and dear friends and coworkers. She was preceded in death by her parents Stanley and Delphine; her beloved husband Thomas; and her brother Stanley “Charlie”.

Heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg, where she spent the last five months of her life receiving so much care and love.

Family and friends may visit at Sujkowski Funeral Home Northpointe, 114 E. Alexis Rd, in Toledo on Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 2:00 pm until 8:00pm, with recitation of the rosary at 7:00pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church, 5153 N. Summit St. in Toledo on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 11:00am, with visitation one hour prior in the church narthex. Karen will then be laid to rest next to her husband Thomas at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Karen’s name may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Online condolences and memories may be shared online at www.sujkowski.com