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1948-2026
LEETONIA – Karen Sue "Cookie" Hezlep, 77, of Leetonia, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at the Hospice House in Poland.
She was born on Nov. 13, 1948, in Salem, a daughter of the late Irvin and Elizabeth Ray Rupert.
Cookie was a graduate of Crestview High School and received degrees from both Youngstown State University and Kent State University. She had worked as a certified occupational therapy assistant for Premier Therapy and was a past member of Good News Presbyterian church in New Waterford.
As a young girl, Cookie enjoyed dance, baton and acrobatics and performed as a member of Jane-ettes in East Palestine. Later she opened her own studio named Twirling K's where she was an instructor for many years in New Waterford. Cookie enjoyed attending and showing ponies at both the Canfield and Columbiana County fairs. She did this with her family, both as a child and as a young mother with her own children. She loved family gatherings and enjoyed playing cards with her loved ones. She also enjoyed thrifting and shopping for bargains at Goodwill. She was a kind woman with a big heart. She loved animals and had a special relationship with her beloved dog of 14 years, Barbie. Mostly, Cookie will be remembered as a strong and resilient woman who beat the odds. Despite having lost her father and most of her siblings to Lynch Syndrome, Cookie was a long-term cancer survivor, having beaten the disease seven different times over the span of 30 years. She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Her husband, James Hezlep, whom she married in 1986, preceded her in death in 1998.
She is survived by her son, Ryan Patrick (Jennifer) Gillis of Salem; two daughters, Rebecca Sue (JR) Cope of Columbiana, and Erin June (Jason) Haag of Delaware, Ohio. Also surviving are her six grandchildren, Elizabeth Gillis, Alec (Lili) Hancox, Kylie Haag, Haven Hancox, Zachary Gillis, and Kaiden Haag.
Cookie was preceded in death by three sisters, June Kacenski, Ruth Wilkinson, and Shirley Harmon; and by three brothers, Larry, Dwayne and Darryl Rupert.
The family will receive friends on Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana.
Services will be held on Monday at 5 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Kari Lankford officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Karen's memory to: Lynch Syndrome International, P.O. Box 19, Madison, Connecticut 06443.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana.
Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com.
11/14/26