Karen Marie Ralston's Obituary
Karen (Chewey) Ralston has passed away at Solaris Rehab (under Cornerstone Hospice), in Tavares, Florida on February 11, 2026 after a long illness.
Born in Neptune, N.J., she lived in Wayside, N.J. until graduating Red Bank Catholic High School in 1973. She went on to graduate Marywood College (now Marywood University) with a degree in Deaf Education. Obtaining a Masters Degree from Gallaudent University, her teaching career spanned over 40 years. An advocate for the deaf community, her tenure included schools in Newton, Massachusetts, (where she commuted from Cape Cod), Philadelphia, PA, and finally settling in central Florida where she finally retired in The Lakes of Mount Dora Community. Retirement included just enjoying the simple things in life like her furever love, Lexi, and caring for our dad who lived with her until his passing in 2025.
She is predeceased by her husband, Fred Ralston; her parents, Vincent and Denise Chewey; and her granddaughter, Ava Byrne. She is survived by her daughter, Sheila Byrne of North Carolina; a son, Jesse Ralston of North Carolina; two sisters, Cheryl Korbul of Morganville, N.J. and Roberta Amedio of Franklin, Massachusetts; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and multiple nieces and nephews of which she loved hearing stories about.
She will have an immediate cremation after which her remains will be interred with her daughter back in North Carolina.
May she find comfort and solace resting in God's hands in her now forever home.
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