Karen Bernstein
July 12, 1941 - July 21, 2024

KAREN BERNSTEIN: 83, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2024 surrounded by her immediate family and friends.

Born on July 12, 1941, Karen was the daughter of Cylvia and Louis Tanowitz, the wife of Tommy Bernstein with whom she shared a loving marriage for over 61 years; sister to the late Ian Tanowitz and loving mother of Michael (Amy), Todd and the late Marci Bernstein.   As a proud and devoted grandmother, Karen enjoyed nothing more than hosting her grandchildren at their house on Longboat Key, FL where she enjoyed swimming, playing on the beach and sharing favorite recipes with her five grandchildren, Max, Sammy, AJ, Charly and Allegra Bernstein. Cherished aunt to Robin Herbol, Michael Tanowitz, Hollie Shaner-McCrae, Nan Rehfeld and Andrew Bernstein with whom Karen shared years of laughter, adventure and family memories.      

Karen lived life on her terms, approaching every challenge with fearlessness and a positive attitude. Karen attended the inaugural class of Hillel Institute in 1948 as the first girl in the class of 17 students. She later attended Roosevelt elementary school and graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in 1959. After two years at Dean Junior College in Franklin, Mass, Karen returned to Pittsburgh in 1961. Karen and Tommy met shortly thereafter and married on May 26, 1963, at Poale Zedeck Synagogue in Squirrel Hill. While tragedy struck the young couple early with the loss of their daughter, Marci, Karen persevered and built a fulfilling life around her love of family, friends, travel, canasta, golf, and philanthropy.     Always upbeat and never afraid to voice her opinion, Karen was a fierce supporter of her friends and family who have many stories and memories to carry with them. With the establishment of the Marci Lynn Bernstein Foundation in the early 1990's Karen immersed herself in philanthropic work, particularly within the Sarasota, FL community that became her home. Karen served on the Boards of the Sarasota Mantatee Jewish Federation where she helped co-found the Woman's Giving Circle; The Israel Tennis & Educational Center, and other community-based initiatives in Sarasota, FL. Karen remained herself until the very end, making her family laugh with her directness, unique expressions, and honest opinions. She was a role model for us all and will be deeply missed.

Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Ave, Shadyside on Wednesday at 11 AM. Visitation one hour prior to service (10 AM - 11 AM). Interment Beth Shalom Cemetery. The family will be sitting shiva on Wednesday and Thursday from 6:30 PM - 9 PM at the residence of Michael and Amy Bernstein. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests friends and loved ones consider a contribution to the Tree of Life - Remember.Rebuild.Renew. Campaign, 107 Woodland Road, Pittsburgh, PA  15232 (https://www.thetreeoflife.org/donate).  

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Sorry for your loss. I feel for the whole family

By Barbara Taylor - September 03, 2024

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We send our sympathy. Karen was an amazing person. You were lucky to have each other for 61 years.

By Terri and Stan Zionts - September 02, 2024

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Sorry to hear about your loss.

By Barry Samuels - August 09, 2024

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Dear Tommy and family, receive our sincere condolences. It was a great privilege for us to have known and worked with Keren for almost twenty years. We will be forever grateful for your care and attention to our family. She will always be in our hearts and thoughts. We'll always be here for whatever you need, Tommy. With affection, Roberto, Eclesia and family.

By Eclesia Tavares - July 28, 2024

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Dear Tommy and family, Please accept my condolences on Karen’s death. May her memory be a blessing. Ellie

By Ellie Bahm - July 25, 2024

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Karen will always live in our memories. She lived life the way she wanted. Please accept our deepest heartfelt condolences and know that we are always here for you .. May her soul Rest In Peace..

By Rick and Deanna Bergman - July 24, 2024

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I have known Karen for over 10 years . I have had the privilege of training her in my Pilates studio since it opened in 2012 . We easily became friends, however , she loved my dog Louis more the me.( I can hear her laughing at me now for that statement.) I have countless pictures of her and Louis . Karen and I talked about everything! She reminded me so much of my grandmother; I often told her this . What I loved most about Karen was her character! When she walked in a room you got Karen Bernstein. She was authentic ,the real deal . She listened like no one else I have ever met !!! I miss her , I admire her , I love her and I know she is in a better place now .

By Darcie Allen - July 24, 2024

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Our World has lost a beautiful, gracious intelligent and wonderful person Karen Bernstein. Karen was a credit to her family, her community her religion and all of us who were lucky enough to know her. Her smile, her perseverance, her wonderful positive attitude and outlook should serve as an inspiration for all of us to remember and emulate. To her amazing husband Tommy and her entire family we all share your loss but with the knowledge that her memory will live on with all of us forever. She was truly a unique and , special person who will be forever loved,

By Sheree and Larry Zaslavsky - July 24, 2024

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Our deepest sympathies. Memories go back to decades from residing on the same street, babysitting- the list is endless. May Karen's memory be a blessing.

By Debbie(Grobstein)& Marc Haber - July 23, 2024

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I want to express my heartfelt sympathy to the family of Karen Tanowitz Bernstein. I remember her and Tom from Taylor Allderdice High School.

By Richard Gordon - July 23, 2024

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Bernstein Family, may memories of happy Times you shared with Karen help ease your Loss and bring comfort to you now. I send this message with heartfelt sympathy. I was once Karen's sister in law.X

By Debby Garden - July 22, 2024

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I'm so sorry to read this. May Karen's memory be a blessing!

By Marc Garvin - July 22, 2024

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