KAREN LEE (MCINTIRE) PIETTE

SOUTHPORT, N.C. – Karen Lee (McIntire) Piette, 56, passed away Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, at her home, following a brief illness.

Mrs. Piette was born Sept. 26, 1955, in Youngstown. She was the daughter of Charles H. McIntire and Frances Komp McIntire.

She was preceded in death by her father.

Karen’s passion in life was dance and ballet in particular. She studied dance at Youngstown State University and Ballet Western Reserve, both in Youngstown. For 10 years, she owned and operated Studio 64, a dance studio in Denver. Karen then taught at The Academy of Performing Arts in Cape Cod, Mass., before moving to Southport.

Surviving are her husband, Greg Piette; children, Cody Piette, Abby Piette, and Tyler Piette; her mother, Frances McIntire of Youngstown; four sisters, Nancy Cipperley (Bill) of Youngstown, MaryLynn Whetstone (Tim) of Dublin, Joyce Faulkner (Phil) of Norcross, Ga., and Judy White (Clark) of Chagrin Falls; a brother, Bob McIntire (Rosemary) of Fayetteville, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, at the Peacock–Newnam & White Funeral Service Chapel.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4:30 p.m., prior to the service.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Karen’s name to the Sea Turtle Protection Program, 4601 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island, NC 28465.

Please visit www.peacocknewnamwhite.com to send condolences online.

Arrangements are being handled by the Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service in Southport.