August 7, 1953 – May 22, 2022
Karen A. Rowan, 68, of Danvers, died peacefully on Sunday, May 22, 2022, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers following a brief battle with metastatic esophageal cancer.
Born in Lynn on August 7, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Stacia (Grabowski) Rowan and the late John Rowan. She was raised in Reading and was a 1972 graduate of Our Lady of Nazareth Academy in Wakefield.
Karen received her bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University, her master’s degree from Ithaca College, and her doctoral degree in audiology from Central Michigan University.
Born with a hearing impairment, she spent her career working as an audiologist with those with hearing difficulties. First at several doctor’s offices on the North Shore, and later at the VA Medical Center in Jamaica Plain, assisting veterans with their hearing disabilities.
A faithful communicant of Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, Karen loved spending time traveling with family and friends. Always a dedicated caretaker by nature, she lovingly cared for her parents, uncle, and dear friend George through their illnesses and infirmities. In recent years, her adopted rescue dog, Molly, gave her much joy.
Karen was a member of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the Polish Club in Danvers.
She leaves several cousins, including Kevin Lyons and his wife LeeAnn of Danvers, Brian Dunleavy and his wife Lori of Beverly, and Lorraine Smith and her husband Ken of Wakefield, and their families. She also leaves behind many dear friends from the Danvers Dog Park, Danversport, and her home at Winding Brook Village.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 10:30AM in Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Annunciation Cemetery, Danvers. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Monday, May 30, 2022 from 3-5PM in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. Donations in Karen’s name may be made to Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers, MA 01923. To share an expression of sympathy with Karen’s family, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.
