Esther (Essie) Karpowich of Upper Southampton passed away peacefully on November 8th in the care of her loving family. She was 86.

Born in Hazleton, PA, she was the cherished daughter of late James and Margaret Ramaviglia.
She was the devoted wife of 54 years of Richard Karpowich, who passed away in 2007.
Rick and Essie met and fell in love on the merry-go-round at Hazle Park when Essie was just 15, and they always said they were still going around in love ever since. They were married in 1953 and moved to Harrisburg whether their two daughters Sherie and Jana were born. After finally settling in Southampton, PA they welcomed their son Jamie. Whether as a couple or with their whole family, Essie and Rick loved to travel.

Essie enjoyed ice and roller skating in her youth, and was proud to have known all 532 people in her graduating class of 1949 from Hazleton High School. She was happiest when her whole family was together, and she enjoyed picnicking, gardening (especially her roses), playing card games and bingo, doing word search puzzles at an amazing speed, and driving fast. She was a wonderful cook and entertainer. During her time at the Garden in the Pine Run Community Essie’s talents as a painter were revealed.

Essie was a very devout Catholic, steadfast in her beliefs in God and religion, and a paragon of humility. She was a parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church and was a member of the OLGC Seniors and St. Robert Bellarmine EP’s. Essie, accompanied by Rick or her daughter Jana, was also a regular attendee of the Monday night Novena in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception for over 45 years.

Essie was an amazing daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, and her sweet and adorable personality melted the hearts of everyone she met. Essie’s occupation and vocation was her family, always putting the needs of others before her own.

She is survived by her daughter, son-in-law and grandson, Jana, Frank and Shelby Drulis, to whom Essie and her family are eternally grateful for the loving care they provided for her. She is also survived by her daughter Sherie Lorenz and son Jamie, grandchildren Brian Lorenz (Jessica), Heather Lorenz, and Eric Karpowich, and a great granddaughter, Madilyn. In addition to her husband, Essie was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law Georgina Karpowich and granddaughter Brittany Karpowich. A heartfelt thank you goes out to her Pine Run family under the loving and caring direction of Mary Beth, as well as everyone from the wonderful Caring Hospice and Neshaminy Manor.

Essie’s family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, November 13th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday from 8:30 and 9:30 a.m., at the James J. McGhee Funeral Home, 2nd Street Pike and Belmont Avenue, Southampton, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 611 Knowles Avenue, Southampton, PA. Interment will follow at St. John Neumann Cemetery in Chalfont. In lieu of flowers, donations in Essie’s name can be made to St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 856 Euclid Avenue, Warrington, PA 18976.