(Island of Malta where Karen was Born)
This week we enjoyed a classification talk from Karen Hobson. Karen traveled the world and lived all over the world before finding her home in the Lehigh Valley with her husband Malcolm.
Karen’s father served in the British Army. She was born on the island of Malta and lived the army life in Singapore and Germany. She has been travelling and relocating internationally most of her life.
Karen’s Mom and Sister reside in the West Country, Somerset in England. Her younger sister is married with 2 children.
Karen came to the Lehigh Valley at the end of October 1994, with her husband Malcolm (also a Brit), heavily pregnant with her first child. Malcolm worked for Air Products for 27 years and now works for Olympus.
She has two sons, Finn and Rowan – both born in the Lehigh Valley, 19 months apart, both now at University.
Finn has just graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Chemical Engineering – like his father.
Rowan is in his senior year at University of Washington in Seattle studying Civil Engineering and is ROTC training with the Navy, and loving every minute of it.
Karen and her family spent 6 years in Singapore on two different Air Products assignments.
(Singapore)
They finally settled in Emmaus 2008 – both boys attending Emmaus High School.
Karen has enjoyed watching her boys playing Soccer or Tennis at the High School as she held positions in Booster clubs.
Karen has been dabbling with Silver Smithing for 18 years. She spends one morning every week at Penn State Lehigh Valley in their Advanced Jewelry Making Class, making a lot of pendants and rings, which she wears or gives as gifts.
Karen enjoys cooking and loves friends popping over at short notice and staying for dinner. Karen is creative and loves making many things.
She has been working for the past 3 years in Emmaus for Ai Orthodontics, a local small practice on Harrison Street, working with Dr. Aejaaz Issa and his dynamic, friendly team. Karen’s job focuses on Community Relations. She loves to get involved in community projects whenever she can. She now drives a bright Orange and Purple Ai Orthodontics Toyota Highlander around the Lehigh Valley – so give her a friendly wave!
Karen is a Soroptimist of Emmaus and has been active for 3 years. The Soroptimists, a group of 20 women friends and business associates, meet once every month. Through their 3 annual fundraisers and other funding activities they are able to provide ongoing support to local women and girls in Emmaus, offering direct financial support, scholarships and gifts, meeting their overall objective to empower women in our community throughout the year.
Karen is a 14 year Breast Cancer Survivor and enjoys taking part in the Women’s 5K Classic in the Lehigh Parkway. Karen loves it here in Lehigh Valley.