Karen Lee Polaha, 49, of Lower Macungie Township, died peacefully, surrounded by her family Oct. 31, 2025, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg Campus. Born in Allentown, she was the daughter of Francis J. and Sharon L. (McGee) Polaha.

She was a member of the Cathedral Church of St. Catharine of Siena.

She was profoundly deaf but overcame her disability to graduate from Allentown Central Catholic High School, Class of 1994, where she was a majorette in the marching band. She was also the recipient of the “Perseverance Award” at her high school graduation through the help of her hearing and speech therapist of 14 years, Mary Jane Spevak.

She later attended the National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

She held various jobs in the Lehigh Valley. She did her best to overcome several disabilities including suffering from dystonia, a neurological disorder she faced for 28 years. Through it all, she enjoyed crocheting, making Perler bead magnets to give to people, watching “The Golden Girls,” game shows, food shows and the ocean.

Her nieces and nephews brought her great joy along with her pets, Molly the cat and Snowy the dog. She enjoyed making people smile.

She is survived by her parents; sister, Lori Samer and her husband, Charles, of Allentown; nieces, Catherine and Elizabeth; nephews, Henry and Charles; cousins, Sandy Schapitl and Kathy Corpora and her husband, Jim; many other people she knew and loved.

Arrangements by Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Home, Allentown.

Memorial donations may be made in her name to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, One East Wacker Drive, Suite 1730, Chicago, IL 60601-1980 or at dystonia-foundation.org.

A special thank you from her family to the entire health care team at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest and Muhlenberg campuses for their tender care and dedicated efforts to help Karen and to the church for their faithful visitations to her by the clergy.