Karen A Serle-Rufo

Karen A Serle-Rufo November 4, 1951 - June 17, 2016 Karen Ann Serle - Rufo, age 64, of St. Augustine, passed away on June 17, 2016 at her home with her family by her side. She was born in Trenton, N.J. and grew up in Hamilton Township, N.J, where she graduated from Hamilton High School with the class of 1969. Karen received an A.A. degree from Mercer Community College, where she studied to become a paralegal. She went on to work as a paralegal for the Trenton Public Defenders office for 8 years. She lived in Matawan but still continued to work as a paralegal for a law firm in Newark, N.J. Later in life Karen got her real estate license and worked in Freehold, N.J. in real estate sales. She was very talented in sales and managed several weight loss clinics including Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem. Beyond her various careers and more importantly, Karen was a creative, fun loving and beautiful woman. Her smile could light up a room and her laughter was infectious. She had many friends, some of whom she has known since she was 3 years old, and other wonderful friendships that were formed upon moving to St. Augustine. Karen loved the fine arts and was a talented amateur painter and decorator. She loved all kinds of culture and especially enjoyed Broadway plays. Karen loved travel and fine dining and visited many destinations around the world. She loved animals especially her Soft-Coated Wheaton Terrier, Abbey. She was happiest when surrounded by family and good friends. She loved her two children and five grandchildren very much. They were the light of her life. Karen and her husband have been seasonal residents in St. Augustine since 2007 and made their home here in 2011. She attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and was involved with the food pantry and other charitable ministries. Karen was a devoted wife who loved her husband very much. They were lovers, best friends and soulmates. Karen was a loving mother, grandmother (Mimi), sister and friend to many. She will be deeply missed. She is survived by her husband, Tom Rufo of St. Augustine; daughter, Vanessa Finn (James) of Wall, N.J.; son, Anthony Serle (Jennifer) of St. Augustine; sister, Arlene Johnson of Hamilton Township, N.J.; grandchildren, Evin, Anthony, Marlee, James, and Hannah. A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 24, 2016 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, 2016 at Raven and the Peach Restaurant, 740 River Road, Fair Haven, New Jersey 07704. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.