Karen Elizabeth Hirkala

Karen Elizabeth Hirkala, 71, of Passaic, passed away on March 13, 2026. Born and raised in Passaic, she remained a lifelong resident of the city she loved. She worked as an aide at the Annabell Shimkowitz Senior Center in Passaic until her retirement.

She was the beloved daughter of the late Senator Joseph Hirkala and Josephine (Chorazy) Hirkala, and the dear sister of the late Robert Hirkala. Karen was the loving niece of Dr. Chester Chorazy and his late wife Dr. Anna Chorazy, and the late Stanley Chorazy and his late wife Rose. She is survived by her cousins, Frank Chorazy, Diane Chorazy-Flanagan and her husband Michael, John Chorazy and his wife Lorraine and their son William Chorazy, Dr. Paula Ann Chorazy, Dr. Mary Ellen Cuccaro and her husband Edward and their children Dr. Mia Cuccaro and her wife Dr. Kelsey O'Dowd, Evan Cuccaro and his wife Olivia, and Mark Chorazy, Esq. Karen will be dearly missed by her beloved canine companions, Buddy and AJ.