Karen Rebecca Rider

Karen Rebecca Rider, 60, of Mechanicsburg, PA, passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side. She was the daughter of William J. Young and the late Darla A. (Barnett) Young (dcd. 2021).

Karen was born on November 16, 1963, in Mifflin County, and later moved with her family to the Mechanicsburg area where she would graduate from Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School (Class of 1981). While growing up, she attended Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Lewisberry where Karen developed a deep spirituality that remained with her throughout her life.

Upon graduating high school, Karen was married and had three children to which she devoted many years raising as a stay-at-home mom. Later, Karen would enter the work force, rising to the head of cash processing for Capital Blue Cross, and later becoming a data analyst at D&H Distributors, Harrisburg. Despite the joy and accomplishment her work brought her, her greatest joy was being surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Karen was a selfless person who put the needs and feelings of others before her own. Even while battling her cancer, she worried more about the people around her and went out of her way to put them at ease.

Surviving is her daughter, Danielle Marie Rider and fiancé, James Clapp of Mechanicsburg; sons, Dylan S. Rider and Dustin L. Rider and wife, Phoebe Rider, both of Mechanicsburg; her fiancé and longtime partner, Brian Sebastian; grandchildren, Jadyn, Izzabella, and Quinn; her father, William J. Young; siblings, Cheryl D. Melick, Randall Melick, and Kevin D. Young; nieces and nephews, Ryan, Brittani, Tiffany, and Briana; her aunt, Pam Ishler and husband, Woody, to whom she was very close, as well as several other aunts, uncles, and close friends. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her nephew, Joshua Melick (dcd. 2016).

Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers (especially because she didn’t care much for them anyhow), please consider making a donation to any of the following charities dedicated to cancer research and/or supporting families in the midst of their own battles: American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), Penn State Cancer Institute (www.cancer.psu.edu), or Pink Hands of Home (www.pinkhandsofhope.org).