Karen Farney Vinkey

BEAVER FALLS/ROCHESTER –

Karen Farney Vinkey

(May 13, 1937 - April 28, 2019)

Karen Farney Vinkey passed away peacefully at Strong Memorial Hospital on April 28th. She was born in Lowville, New York on May 13, 1937. She grew up in Beaver Falls. Throughout her life she affectionately recalled her youth in “the North Country” because it reflected the proximity to land, family and home, that were important to her. In high school she showed an aptitude for science and won a scholarship to study nursing at the University of Rochester.

After graduation, she married Victor Fowler Vinkey and settled in Rochester, raising their children there. She took pride in nurturing their individual talents and interests. She loved baking, reading and gardening, and was one of the first to dig up her front lawn, reimagining it as a wildflower garden. Walking was her preferred method of transportation and she walked all over the city, admiring gardens and making friends as she went. Towards the end of her life when asked what was most important to her she said, "My family, my home, books and gardens."

Karen cared deeply about others and her community and gave generously of her time and energy. She was a literacy volunteer, a docent at the Memorial Art Gallery, a member of the Nunda Boulevard Neighborhood Association and one of the originators of the Elm Tree Sale, a fundraiser for the stately trees which line the boulevard. She worked as a nurse, was a keen diagnostician and had great empathy for her patients. Karen valued her independence and worked as a home health nurse well into her seventies. She will be missed by many.

Karen is survived by three children, Ellen Anne Vinkey (son-in-law, Stephen Baschwitz) of Montclair, New Jersey, Rachel Burdick Vinkey (son-in-law, Shriram Krishnan) of Oakland, California and Ray Sherman Vinkey of Philipsburg, Montana as well as her former husband and good friend, Victor Fowler Vinkey, two sisters, Keitha J. Farney and Nan Farney White, and three grandchildren: Erin Elizabeth Baschwitz, Ella Marie Baschwitz and Anya Vinkey Krishnan as well as eight nieces and nephews.

Karen was predeceased by her parents, Ray H. Farney and Marguerite Northroup Farney. 

A memorial service will be held in Rochester this summer.

Donations in her honor may be sent to:

                The Beaver Falls Library 

                9607 Lewis Street 

                Beaver Falls, NY 13305   

                                or 

                The Beaver Falls Fire Department 

                P.O. Box 456

                Beaver Falls, NY 13305

Arrangements are with Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., Lowville.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.