Karen Houlihan-Golden

Karen Houlihan Golden, 53, of Romeyn Avenue, Amsterdam, NY; passed away with her loving family by her side on Saturday afternoon December 22, 2012 at her mother’s home on St. Paul Street in Amsterdam, New York.

Born on November 18, 1959 in Newark, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Gerald Houlihan and Virginia Simiele Houlihan who survives.

Karen was a 1977 graduate of Bishop Scully High School in Amsterdam. She continued her education at Mount St. Mary College graduating in 1981 with her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Teachers Certificate. She then went on to the College of St. Rose, where she received her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology.

Karen taught Special Education in the Amsterdam School System for 31 years, retiring in 2012. Karen was also the owner and founder of Horsin’ Around Trollies in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Karen was on the Executive Board of the Amsterdam Teachers Association; she was a member of New York State United Teachers and was also involved with the Stop the Violence Committee.
Along with her mother, Karen is survived by her husband, Donald B. Golden, two sons, Daniel Noonan of Fonda, NY, and Brett Noonan of Tribes Hill, NY, two brothers, Joseph Houlihan of Elyria, Ohio and Paul Houlihan of Amsterdam, NY; one niece, Sarah Houlihan and one nephew, Casey Houlihan.

Cremation will be held at Parkview Crematory in Schenectady, NY.

Memorial visitation will be held Thursday December 27, 2012 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Riley Mortuary, Inc. 110 Division Street Amsterdam, NY 12010.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass on Friday December 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church 39 St. John Street, Amsterdam, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Karen’s name may be made to Double H. Ranch, 97 Hidden Valley Road, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846 or to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 699, Amsterdam, NY 12010.