Karen Zglobicki of Avenel, NJ, passed away on Friday, February 20 after a courageous battle with cancer.  She was 62 years old.  Born in Elizabeth, she was a lifelong resident of Avenel, having graduated from Colonia High School in 1981 and Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School.

Karen wore many hats throughout her career.  She began working for K-Mart in 1982, where she steadily worked her way up the retail and corporate ladder for 25 years.  While still employed there, she also shared her creative spirit as a hairdresser at Albert's in Woodbridge.  Her professional journey then brought her to Robert Wood Johnson, where she served as a Senior Patient Accounts Representative for the past ten years.

She had an affinity for the little joys in life - her love for leopard print, multiple cups of her signature 'light & sweet' coffee, and experimenting with new and creative meals in the kitchen.  Karen was also fiercely loyal to her Pittsburgh Steelers, happily cheering them on each season.  Her deepest devotion, however, was to her family.  They were her greatest joy and center of her world.

Karen was predeceased by her father, Stanley, her brother, Jeffrey, and her grandmother, Gilda Drost.

She is survived by her mother, Jean Zglobicki of Avenel; her sister, Kim Early and her husband Bill of Shark River Hills; niece, Erin Royston and her husband Steve of Shark River Hills; nephew, Connor Early and his wife Sarah of Shrewsbury; and her three cherished grandnieces- Maeve, Vivian, and Penelope.  In addition, she also leaves behind a wide circle of cousins and extended family who loved her dearly.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026 from 3:00pm to 7:00pm at Costello-Koyen Funeral Home, 399 Avenel Street, Avenel, New Jersey 07001.  Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her honor to St. Jude's Children's Research or Tunnels to Towers Foundation.