Obituary of Karen Kelly McNichols

Bedford- Karen Kelly McNichols, 73, of Bedford died peacefully on January 21, 2023. Born April 22, 1949 in New York City, New York, she was the daughter of James and Marilyn (Lowery) Kelly. Karen grew up in a large, Irish family attending Catholic school in Yonkers, NY, then relocated to Bloomington, IN when she was in high school. She holds an Education Degree from Indiana University and taught English, serving as Department Chair, at Bedford North Lawrence (BNL) High School before retiring in 2015. Throughout her career, Karen was active with the BNL Prom Committee, Distinguished Young Women of Lawrence County, BNL Scholarship Foundation, and many other organizations. Karen is survived and missed by her loving husband, George McNichols; son, George McNichols Jr. (Christy), of Bedford; and daughter, Jamie Medlock (Cody), of Greenwood; grandchildren Elizabeth, George III, Rebecca, and Rory; siblings, Kevin Kelly, Theresa Shirley, Jeanne Kelly, Kim Kelly Donovan, Jackie Kelly Robertson; and numerous extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents. Karen was an avid reader, IU basketball fan, and loved playing cards with friends. Karen and George lived in Houston, TX for several years before planting roots in Bedford in 1984. She had exquisite taste and loved helping friends and family decorate their homes. Her favorite pastimes included spending time with her grandchildren, lounging poolside, and visiting the beach with George. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 26th at the Day & Carter Mortuary. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 27th in the Elmwood Chapel of the Day & Carter Mortuary with Andy Fish officiating and Shawna Girgis performing music. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Karen Kelly McNichols Scholarship with the Bedford North Lawrence Scholarship Foundation.