Sister to Sister

When Karen Marie Circharo passed away from a heart attack on June 27, 2007, her family and friends were in utter shock.  One week earlier, she called her best friend of 23 years, Robin Sylvis, to tell her that she was having discomfort in her chest, similar to heartburn, and that her arm felt funny. 

Robin begged her to go to the emergency room, where they ran a few quick tests and released her with heartburn medication. She was not advised to follow up with a cardiologist. 

Karen was a beautiful, active 46 year old woman, so her family and friends didn't imagine that it was heart disease. One week later, Karen had the same feeling feeling in her chest, but this time, she had a massive heart attack at home.  

Karen is profoundly missed by her family and friends, and all those who knew her.  Karen leaves behind Armand, her loving husband of 24 years, her daughter Elizabeth and son Michael, her parents, Russell and Barbara McMahon of Wantagh, NY, her sisters Barbara, Susan, Judith and Christine, a large extended family, and her many, many friends. 

Karen with her parents and her four sisters	Karen Marie Circharo	Karen with Armand, and their children Elizabeth & Michael

 Her best friend Robin was at such a loss that she knew she had to do something to honor her memory.  With the help of Karen's work colleagues at Core Medical Group, family and friends, Robin put together a cookbook of favorite recipes of Karen's and others close to her.

All proceeds from the cookbook, "Delicious Memories of Karen's Kitchen" have gone to the Sister to Sister Foundation. As an attendee, and then a volunteer at our Women's Heart Health Fair, she was very familiar with our mission.

Robin shares, "Sister to Sister is an organization that understands the attention that needs to be paid to women and our unique symptoms and risks for heart disease. I have made numerous donations to Sister to Sister from our cookbook fund since Karen passed away, and the work Sister to Sister does keeps Karen's memory alive in such an important way!"

Sister to Sister is especially grateful to the generosity of the family, friends and colleagues of Karen Circharo.  All of the donations from the sale of "Delicious Memories of Karen's Kitchen " directly support Sister to Sister's awareness, education and screening programs for women.

	Karen with her best friend, Robin Sylvis