Karen Sweet Tanczuk born October 5 1973 went home to be with her Lord November 24 2009. Born in Fort Lauderdale Florida to Orvis “Lee” and Carol Sweet, Karen spent her early childhood years in Cleveland Tenn.
She moved to Cleveland , Ohio in 1986, where she was raised by her sister Tricia and husband Allen. She graduated from Parma High School 1991.

At a young age, Karen displayed a strong work ethic, when she started her first job at Gepetto’s Pizza in Parma. This loyalty to her job continued even during her cancer treatments at the Moll Center. She worked at TGIFriday’s Brooklyn, Ohio since Jan 2008. It is here that she inspired, encouraged, and strengthened her co-workers. They were more than her collegues, they were family to her. Many people in the community were served by Karen in the community. Yet through her smile and desire to make their dining experience pleasurable, you probably never knew the pain she was experiencing.

Her traveling highlights were going to any beach, Paris( where she got to visit one of her favorite performers gravesite, Jim Morrison of the Doors), Amsterdam, out West, Disneyland, Virgina Beach, Kitty Hawk.
Going to family reunions in Cleveland TN were highlights also of her life. One of Karen’s big hobbies was going to concerts, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, but her all-time favorite was Kid Rock. It was her fondest wish to meet Kid Rock, but her cancer prevented that from happening. She was known for her passion of wolves and love of Disney character, Tigger. You could easily find her in her garden. She found great enjoyment decorating the house for the holidays. Her big love was hanging out with her family and friends. She felt they were the cornerstone of her life. She married her long-time friend, Ted Tanczuk Jr Dec 22, 2006.

Karen was first diagnosed with melanoma cancer in March 2008. Despite being at Stage 3, she was bound and determined to fight. And fight she did! For the next 20 months she would ride a wild roller coaster of surgeries, tests and more tests, interferon treatments 3-5 times a week. Yet through that she still managed to work at TGIFridays until October 2009. Sadly, she was unable to attend a family reunion at Disneyworld in September as the disease was progressing to rapidly.
She was a patient at the Moll Center at Fairview Hospital where she recieved treatments. It was there she received the finest medical care, not just physical, but in the emotional sense. They too were her extended family. During the last month of her life, she was in the care of the Hospice Center of the Western Reserve.

No matter how bad things got for Karen she always felt somebody had a worse situation. When the Moll Center would offer help through their Foundation, she always felt someone deserved it more. When going for her treatments, she would always go and see everyone else first offering a smile or hugs. When a friend needed something, she was the first to provide help. Whether it be a listening ear, an oversized hug, her car, money, you could always count on her.

Karen’s family wishes to thank Dr Spearo and his nurses Jo Ann and Sally, and her social worker Debbie Adams at the Moll Center of Fairview Hospital. They offered her encouragement and always made her smile. Their friendship and never ending assistance will never be forgotten. The Hospice Center of the western Reserve for making her comfortable the last month of her very short life. The countless friends from her TGIFridays family that came to her house to offer her hugs and even just to hold her hand displayed such a genuine love for their Friday’s sister.

Karen is survived by her husband of 3 years, Ted Jr, her father-in-law Ted Sr, step-son Teddy IV, sisters Tricia Davis (Allen) , JoAnn Wonkovich , Dottie Seward (Roy), Mary Tarrant (George) ,brothers Russell Sweet, ( Jo Ann),Tom Eberhardt (Idonna) Edd Eberhardt (Kris).
Nieces and nephews: Hannah Davis, Kristian and Jesse Hall, Rick Hall, Sam Wonkovich, Betty , Michael, Douglas, and Jeffery Evans, Russell Sweet Jr, Jimmy, and Chad Sweet, Robert Brault, Teresa Brault Sekerak, Harriet ,Angela, and William Royce Miller, Amanda Eberhardt, Tommy Eberhardt Jr., Tommy Eberhardt III, Eddie Eberhardt III, Eddie Eberhardt IV, Brianna Eberhardt, Kearsten Eberhardt, Jonny Eberhardt, Lara Stone, Tyler and Sophia Stone, Tim Davis.
Her Aunt Electa, Uncle Rob and Jan, cousin Jim, and all her step-mom’s family in Georgetown TN., her family at TGIFriday’s,Tons and tons of friends from all over the country.
Her beloved cats who were her “kids” Itchy and Furby.
Proceeded in death by her parents, Carol and Orvis “ Lee” Sweet, sister Susie Clark, Uncle Glen, Aunt Isabelle, step-mother Lucille Moreland who was Mom to Karen as she lost her mom at 5 yrs old.
Memorial Donations can be given to the Cleveland Cancer center at Fairview Hospital and the Hospice of the Western Reserve.
A Celebration of Karen’s life will take place Tuesday, December 1, at Parma Heights Baptist Church 8971 W. Ridgewood Dr, Parma Heights Ohio at 2:30 immediately following an open house reception will be at 4747 Forestedge Brooklyn.
Please join the family at TGIFriday's in Brooklyn for a night of food, friendship and memories. This event will benefit Karen an employee of TGIFriday's and patient of the Moll Cancer Center. Tuesday December 8, 2009 from 5:00PM till close, TGIFriday's Brooklyn, 10320 Cascade Crossing (Tiedeman and I-480). Any and all donations are welcome and greatly appreciated. Thank You for your support. For further information please call 216-267-0300 and ask to speak to a manager.