Published in the January 22, 2016 edition
LYNN — Karen L. (McCarthy) West of Lynn, formerly of Peabody, died at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on Jan. 12 at the age of 64.
Karen was born in Lawrence, raised in Andover and was a graduate of Andover High School. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and her master’s degree from Salem State University.
Karen resided in Peabody for 21 years and the past 10 years in Lynn. Karen worked as a social worker for Lowell General Hospital for eight years and Melrose-Wakefield Hospital for 20 years. She was an avid dog lover and enjoyed spending her summers at Hampton Beach, N.H. Karen enjoyed traveling to the Grand Canyon, Portugal, Romania and Ireland.
She was the loving mother of William S. West and his wife Kathleen of Danvers, Thomas H. West and his wife Laurie of Pennsylvania and Nathaniel J. West and his spouse Sinath of New Hampshire. She was the cherished grandmother of Timothy, Brianna, Ethan, Kylie, Evelina and Brynn. She was the caring sister of Denise McCarthy and June Blake, both of New Hampshire; Kevin McCarthy and his wife Jennifer of Lawrence and Brian McCarthy and his wife Cathy of Haverhill.
Visitation was held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster St., Melrose on Tuesday, Jan. 19. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, Jan. 20 in St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 198 Haggetts Pond Rd., Andover. Burial took place in St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Karen’s name to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Pl. West 6th Flr., Brookline MA 02445. For directions and to sign an online condolence, visit www.gatelyfh.com.
