Obituary

Karissa Lynne Desmond, 44, passed away Friday, April 11th in Johnstown. She was born to Nancy Desmond in Alexandria, Virginia, on August 13, 1980, and grew up in Fairfax County. She was educated in Fairfax County and Stafford County school’s public schools. She was a loving person who loved her kitties and her loved ones. She worked in the food service industry and then she chose to take a step back and focused on maintaining a home for her husband William and son Alexander Joseph McGhee. After her son left home to pursue his dreams and interests Karissa returned to the love of taking in wounded people and caring for them

In 1998 she gave birth to an infant son Aaron, who died after four months. It was a brutal loss that sadly informed her for the rest of her life. In 2002, she welcomed her son Alex and in 2009, married his father, William McGhee in Johnstown. Karissa embraced her Catholic roots while raising her son. Her son’s achievements were her favorite topic of conversation, and she could and would speak endlessly sharing stories recounting his accomplishments. Karissa loved walking through the neighborhood picking flowers and putting out food for the neighborhood strays.

Karissa loved cats, flowers, perfumes, good stories, Indian cuisine, and her boys, mother, and sister. A close friend recalled, “Her love language was sarcasm” Truer words can’t be spoken. Karissa loved Star Trek, Buffy, and Alias, and Stephen King’s Cain Rose Up was a favorite as was The Body Thief by Anne Rice. Karissa struggled with a learning disability but never allowed it to define her. She was a person who fit the Leo stereotype, she loved being in the spotlight, she worked as a direct care worker for several of her neighbors as well as helping to care for her mother and sister.

In addition to Aaron, Karissa was predeceased by her grandmother Ethel in 2006. her cousin Joshua who was almost a brother. She is survived by her son Alex and his husband Noah, her mother Nancy Anne, sister Mary Jeannette, former husband William A. McGhee, her cat Vydel and a large extended family. Karissa lost her battle with addiction, but she is finally at rest and free from pain. Her loved ones are devastated but take solace in the fact that she is no longer suffering. The family will greet friends Friday April 18^th from 1p till time of service at 3pm. At Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., 146 Chandler Ave. Johnstown, PA 15906. Donations may be made to Cambria veterinary clinic, or the ASPCA in her memory. Arrangements in care of Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., “Exclusive Provider of Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” Condolences may be made at HindmanFuneralHomes.com