Karen Sue Christoff

Karen Sue Mulholland Christoff passed away peacefully on May 12, 2019 surrounded by family and friends. Karen was a master educator with the Indianapolis Public Schools, notably, Northwest High School.  For over 30 years Mrs. Christoff taught English Composition and Literature with creativity and passion.  Karen had a truly unique gift as a teacher.  She was able to motivate students who had never read a book to not only read a book but to become lifelong readers.  She also was inspirational in encouraging creative writing using a variety of techniques and early on adopted technologies to augment her teaching. She pioneered the use of video as a story-telling medium in the classroom, and was also among the first educators in IPS to integrate computers and the Internet into her curriculum.  She received the Indianapolis Power & Light Company's prestigious Golden Apple Award for her work pioneering computers in her language arts classes. Her enthusiasm for her students and concern for their outcomes was well-remembered by her students who often thanked her for her influence on them. As a member of the Indianapolis Education Association Executive Committee, Karen worked with numerous faculties and administrators to improve workplace conditions for teachers and learning environments for students. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Butler University. She was a graduate of Broad Ripple High School and was active in Footlight Musical Theater productions in Indianapolis. Her career in education is also how she met William Christoff, Jr., a school administrator and music teacher, whom she married on June 13, 1986. Throughout their marriage, Bill and Karen were inseparable. When they weren’t teaching or caring for their families, they traveled, and developed music programs in several Orthodox churches in Indianapolis & Florida. After retiring, they continued to travel, organize fundraisers, and produce music and dramatic performances at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Karen was predeceased by her parents, George and Frances Mulholland and her brother, Ed Mulholland (Elaine). Karen is survived by husband-William Christoff, daughter- Kristina Ross, stepdaughter-Alexis Moore, stepdaughter- Nicole Christoff and sister Mary Milberger (Thomas).  She was also a proud grandmother to two step grandsons, special aunt to her nieces and nephews and was honored to be a Godmother three times. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3500 West 106th Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032.