At the age of 52, Karen passed away on September 26, 2018, at Hospice Buffalo, in Cheektowaga New York, after fighting cancer for a year, with her husband, Gary, and daughters, Amanda, Jessica, and Angela, by her side.

She was born in Buffalo, New York to the late Gertrude (nee Ratka) and Walter Solowski and the youngest of six brothers and sisters.  Karen graduated from South Park High School and ECC and then obtained her Realtor License.

Karen was one of Metro Roberts Realty top realtors working with buyers endlessly until they found the home that satisfied all of their needs. In 2017, she won the achievement award from Metro Realty for selling over a million dollars' worth of homes.

Family and friends were everything to her.  She was so proud of her family's impact on the community and followed in her father's footsteps when she reopened Top Hill Grill after her parents passed. She along with the help of her husband Gary, her daughters and family launched Top Hill and kept the family legacy alive. She was definitely a bartender's daughter, Karen had the gift of gab and the ability to make everyone feel welcomed and charm you with the smile on her face. She was proud and excited to see the familiar faces of the neighborhood coming back and supporting her. She was devoted to her family and provided the invaluable lessons in life and business to the grandchildren while getting ready for the daily lunch crowd. She called these lessons "Grandma School" and accelerated Hunter and Trey's education.

Karen enjoyed organizing family events, catering, having parties and the holidays, especially Dyngus Day.  Karen was a sponsor of the Dyngus Day Parade and did the Polka along the route beside the Top Hill float with her family and friends enjoying her Polish Heritage.  She became a perfectionist in making pierogis for Christmas and Easter. She also had a float in the Valley/First Ward St. Patrick's Day Parade reacquainting with old neighborhood friends along the route.

Summers were spent on the beach at Sunset or Angola, on the boat, Jet Skiing, kayaking or playing baseball on the Top Hill Team. She enjoyed campfires at the beach and camping at Alleghany as well as traveling with her husband. Karen embraced life to the fullest extent.

Karen was the beloved wife of Gary F. Payne.  A devoted mother of Amanda (Nick) Bruckman, Jessica Tunis & Angela Tunis.  Step-mother of Lindsay (Brad) Gottorff and Nicholas Payne.  Fond grandmother of Hunter, Trey, and Stevie.  Sister of Catherine (Stanley) Brozyna, Patty (Wayne) Kwiatkowski, John (late Karen) Solowski, James Solowski and Joseph (Mary) Solowski.  She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

The family will be present on Monday, October 1st from 2 - 4 & 6 - 8 PM at the PIETSZAK FUNERAL HOME, 2400 William Street, near Harlem Rd.

Relatives and friends are invited to assemble for a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 450 Abbott Road Buffalo, New York 14220 on Tuesday, October 2nd, at 11:15 AM.

Graveside Service will take place at St. Matthew's Cemetery, in West Seneca, New York on Thursday, October 4th, at 2 PM.