Ann Karpiscak

Ann Karpiscak, 87, of Olney, MD passed away in her home on January 30, 2025. She was born on May 13, 1937, to John Plesa and Ann Plesa of New York City. Ann’s bright smile, gentle demeanor, and outgoing personality could get anyone to open up about themselves. Her family was her pride and joy, her proudest accomplishment was raising two kind and generous children, and her grandchildren were the apples of her eye. The world is less bright without her in it, but God has welcomed her with open arms as she’s reunited with her beloved husband and her devoted son. 

As a baby, Ann was brought to Vrbovce, Czechoslovakia to be raised with her cousins by their maternal grandmother. A few months later, Czechoslovakia was invaded by Nazi Germany, forcing Ann and her cousins to live there until the end of World War II. In 1946, nine-year-old Ann traveled back to New York City to live with her parents and siblings, whom she had never met. She continued to share a close bond with the cousins she was raised with in “the old country.”

Ann formed close friendships within the Slovak community at Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church, where she met Paul Karpiscak. Ann married Paul at Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church in 1955. They were happily married for 64 years until his passing in April 2020.

Due to Paul’s work with Martin Marietta and NASA at Cape Canaveral, Ann lived in Winter Park, Florida for several years where they had two children, Paul Van, and Lori Ann. In 1970, Ann and Paul moved to Olney, MD. Ann worked for the Montgomery County Public Schools system for 25 years. Among her positions, she worked as a media specialist and secretary in a number of schools, and as a secretary for the ESOL department in the central office. After her retirement in 1999, Ann volunteered at the Kennedy Center working at the information desk for over 20 years. Ann also volunteered as an altar guild member for many years at her church, St. Luke Lutheran Church in Silver Spring, MD. Ann and Paul also enjoyed traveling in their retirement years and meeting people along the way.

Ann is survived by her daughter, Lori McKay (Scott) of Maryland; her grandchildren Kaitlyn and Ryan McKay; her siblings, Olga Boor of Massachusetts and Paul Plesa of New Jersey; and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Paul Karpiscak; her son, Paul Van Karpiscak; and her parents, Anna and John Plesa.

A visitation will be held on Friday, February 7 at 10 a.m, and a funeral service at 11 a.m. at the Roy W. Barber Funeral Home in Laytonsville, MD. A burial and graveside service will be held at the Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Marriottsville, MD following the service.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church at Silver Spring, MD (http://saintluke.us/) or to any charity of your choice.

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