Karen L. Finster

Karen L. (Coleman) Finster, 67, of Rome, passed away peacefully at Oneida Healthcare Center Hospital surrounded by her loving family and close friends on July 20, 2025.

Karen was born on May 29, 1958, in Rome, the daughter of the late Norman C. Coleman Sr. and the late Doris (Barron Coleman) Northrup. She was raised and educated in North Bay, Oriskany, and Rome. On March 26,1982 she married the love of her life, Robert F. Finster Jr. at St. Mary’s Church in Rome. She knew from the day they first met that she would eventually marry Bob, and the two shared a blessed union of 43 years. They have two beautiful daughters, Mystic and Jamie. Bob passed away just five months ago on February 12, 2025. She missed him every day and looked forward to being reunited with him.

Karen had a long career as a well-known waitress at Coalyard Charlie’s in Rome for over forty years. She developed many lasting connections with her regular customers, and she viewed many as friends. She was devastated when the restaurant abruptly closed last summer after being part of her for most of her life. She was a requested bartender and waitress, and she loved tending bar. She was the queen of the blender, starting her skills at Coleman’s, her father’s establishment in the 80’s. Karen loved to work and even in the past month decided she wanted to waitress at least one day a week. Karen had a sense of humor albeit sometimes dry. We all have a story. She was bold in all aspects of her life and not afraid to speak her mind. When her daughters decided to go with dark hair, she was not afraid to tell them that she preferred them as blondes with eyeliner. She also let them know that if a man tells you, you look better without makeup, he is lying. We have that advice on video to share with her granddaughters. We all knew that was part of her and loved her because we knew beneath there was a soft, sensitive, and caring soul. She kept her sense of humor which earned her the title of “family comedian.”

Karen was the life of the party and loved to entertain. Everyone was family and she always had room for someone to bring another person. After Bob’s passing, she moved to a spacious apartment and was so excited to host Easter dinner like she had done years ago. It was important to her to have a beautiful Celebration of Life for Bob just a couple of weeks ago at the home they shared for many years. We all worked to make it come true and she was able to visit with many relatives and old friends. She expressed how beautiful everything was and that Bob would be so pleased.

In recent years, her greatest pleasure was visiting, playing with, and shopping for her six much-adored grandchildren. While shopping, price was no object when it came to their joy. They all loved her so much and she lived for them. She was so fortunate to get to travel to South Carolina in May to witness her eldest grandchild, Julia, graduate from High School. She was so proud of her. Nothing could keep her away from the kids even babysitting and playing with Astrid and Arthur last week. She was so excited to have Julia and Olivia spend two weeks with her in her new apartment in June and then to have Józef and Henryk join them. It brought her such happiness to have all of them together to spoil and love on.

Karen is survived by her much loved daughters, Mystic (Travis) Jordan of Central, SC, and Jamie (Geoffrey) Hoyt of Rome; grandchildren, Julia, Olivia, Józef, and Henryk Jordan and Astrid and Arthur Hoyt; her loving and supportive sisters and brothers-in-law, Sherry (Marty) Schwab of Minoa, NY, Tammy (Bill) Verro of Rome; brother, Norman Coleman Jr. of Rome; brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws, Jack (Debbera) Finster of Evans Mills, NY, and James (April) Finster of Holland Patent; nieces and nephews, Jason (Adrianne), John (Tiffany), Sharon (Jason), Laurie (Gino), Billy (Michelle), Kim (the late Matt), Steven (Nikki), Michael (Brittany), Kristina (Chris), Krissy who was also Karen’s goddaughter, Gabrielle, Bruce, Christopher, and Amber; several great nieces and nephews; Aunt Barbara and Uncle Bob who she recently became neighbors with when moving to Air City Apartments after Bob’s passing. She truly appreciated their help and visits in recent months. Aunt Marilyn, Aunt Carol and Aunt Brenda and Uncle Skip, many cousins who have been so kind to her as well as extended family and longtime friends.

She also leaves behind a very good lifelong friend, Debbie Dunn, who she enjoyed spending time with and was very helpful to Karen especially in recent months. They really enjoyed shopping, eating out, and playing the lotto which Karen never missed.

Karen was predeceased by her husband, Robert F. Finster Jr., her parents Doris (Barron Coleman) Northrup, Norman Coleman Sr., her in-laws Robert and Kathleen Finster, and brother-in-law Bruce Finster.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM, at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, Rome with Father John F. Hogan, Jr., whom Karen held in high regard, officiating. According to Karen’s wishes, internment will be in Rome Cemetery alongside her mother and grandmother Barron. It was her mission to keep their grave looking beautiful for the past twenty years. We’ll take it from here, Karen.

She will take her final ride to the cemetery with her daughters once again as a passenger in Bob’s truck.

Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.

“Hey Bob, she had some things to take care of over the last five months, but your Dutchess is on her way!”