Claudia Marie Karaszewski

Born in her family home in Scotia, New York on January 4, 1938, Claudia was the daughter of Carl and Julia Veglia. She grew up in Schenectady, New York alongside three sisters and a twin brother, all of whom she shared close, lifelong relationships. She often remarked with a chuckle that her twin brother was a gentleman from the womb, allowing her to be the first twin born. Claudia earned an associates’ degree in secretarial science from Bryant College in Providence, Rhode Island. She met her husband, Ronald Karaszewski, at Bryant, and they shared a loving 51-year marriage until Ron’s passing in 2010.

Claudia and Ron raised their daughters, Karen and Linda, in Pomfret, Connecticut. In 1979, they purchased their first of several homes on Lake Winnipesaukee in Moultonboro, NH. In the mid-1990s they retired to Moultonboro and enjoyed many local friendships and activities. For a time, she worked at the gift shop at Castle in the Clouds, a place she nostalgically revisited in the summer before her passing. Following years of spending winters in Florida with Ron, Claudia became a full-time resident of The Plantation in Leesburg after his passing. She treasured her life there, finding joy in the warm weather, many neighborhood friends, her Corpus Christi Episcopal church community, and a variety of activities, including water aerobics, mahjong, and exploring the community in her golf cart. Claudia moved to Brightview Assisted Living in Danvers, Massachusetts in October 2023, timed perfectly to enjoy the recent arrival of her great-grandson and more frequent visits and activities with her family (including cocktail hours, bingo, Rummikub, and cryptograms).

Claudia is survived by her two daughters, Linda Karageorges and husband Arthur, Karen Giuliano and husband Tony; her grandchildren: Alec Karageorges, Marissa Giuliano Morgan and husband Keith, and Christopher Giuliano; and her cherished great-grandson, Wesley Brooks Morgan. She also leaves behind nephews Carl Veglia (Joanne), David Urano (Susan), Michael Burchfiel (Melanie), Steven Burchfiel and nieces JoAnn Droms (William), Carla Diamond (John), Sherri Collins (Tom), Michele Kressner (Jeff), and Deanne Annechino (Tony). All fondly remember her warmth, kindness, and hospitality during the over 20 years of Veglia family reunions she, Ron, and Linda and Arthur hosted at their NH homes between 1986 and 2008. Claudia was predeceased by her siblings Maria Gilberti Lawless (whom she regarded as her “second mother”), Judy Urano, Norma Rumph, and her twin brother, Richard Veglia. Claudia is also predeceased by her niece, Julie M. Devlin.

A service in Claudia’s memory will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church in Meredith, New Hampshire, on December 30, 2024, at 10 a.m. She will join her husband at Arlington National Cemetery during the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Claudia’s name to Corpus Christi Episcopal Church, Leesburg FL. Donation information can be found under the “Offerings” tab.