Karen Poe of Mechanicsburg, died May 17, 2026 at Messiah Lifeways. She was born March 17, 1948, in Chambersburg, PA, to the late John Howard and Kathryn Elizabeth Brenize Poe.

She was a graduate of Shippensburg High School; Wilson College, Chambersburg, with a degree in economics and mathematics; and did graduate work at The Pennsylvania State University. Karen was with the Lutheran Deaconess community and later worked at Thornwald Home, Carlisle, and for the Carlisle School District at LeTort Elementary.

Karen was very involved in Girl Scouting, leading several troops and also co-directing the area's annual day camp, Great Beaver, for many years, where she was known by the camp name "Pinwheel". She had traveled with scouts to the national Girl Scout site In Savannah, Georgia, and international Girl Scout sites in England, Switzerland, and India.

In addition to scouting, she was also active in her Lutheran church, and at the synodical level for Women of the ELCA. She and her husband spent time teaching in the Konde Diocese of Tanzania, Africa, at a Lutheran school.

Karen enjoyed her family, reading, baking cookies, travel, and working all types of word and number puzzles. She disliked housework, country western music, and dogs.

Surviving are her husband of nearly 50 years. Fred H Hait, of Mechanicsburg, two daughters, Kathryn A. Poe of Marysville; and Bethany L. Hait (husband Eric Rwegayura) of Thief River Falls, MN; a son J. Thaddeus Hait, of New Cumberland; grandchildren, Adam and Rose; two sisters, Nancy P. Rea of Mechanicsburg, and Ava M. Neff (husband Richard) of Mechanicsburg; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held at St Peter Lutheran Church, 130 Nittany Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA, at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, with Pastor Alex Martini presiding and Bishop Carol Hendrix preaching. There will be an opportunity to greet the family one hour prior to the service and then in the Fellowship Hall after the service where refreshments will be served. This time will also include a Girl Scout Friendship Circle.

Karen's wish was that in lieu of flowers, any memorial donations be made to the Lower Susquehanna Synod of the ELCA, 2000 Chestnut Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011, for the Konde Diocese in Tanzania, where she and her husband had taught. Visit EwingBrothers.com to send condolences.