Obituary of Karen M. Wanders

Karen M. Wanders passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 after a brief period fighting dementia. She was 74 years old. She was born in Boston and was one of five children born to Margaret and John Wanders, II.  She grew up in Burlington and was a graduate of Burlington High School, Class of 1968.  She was a successful sole provider to her daughters and worked as a legal secretary for over 30 years. During her working years, she was employed at several prominent law firms in Boston;  Hale and Dorr, Palmer and Dodge, and Mintz Levin.  After she retired, she worked for more than five years in the Garden Department of the Home Depot in Nashua, NH.  She would be there at 4 a.m. tending to and watering the plants and flowers.  

Karen could be described as a free spirit.  She was spontaneous, loved adventures, learning or trying something new, which made her more open to new people, ideas, perspectives, and breaking taboos.  She would never say no to an invitation.  Most times it went well, but occasionally not so well, like bike riding.  She loved flower gardening, and would spend hours around her home tending to her flower gardens.  She loved teaching and working alongside her daughters in their yards helping them to bring color, sweet fragrances, and joy to their homes as well.  Karen also enjoyed painting.  She attended numerous art classes and loved to paint sea and beachscapes.  It was a fun hobby, and she would proudly hang her artwork around her home with her trademark “KW” on the right corner.  She was an avid reader who enjoyed writing and had a very creative mind.  She wrote short stories in different genres including mysteries and suspense/thrillers.  She rarely shared them with others, but the process of writing gave her pleasure.  Karen especially loved the beach, whether a day trip to Plum Island or Gloucester or family vacations on the beaches of Cape Cod.  Karen also had numerous circles of friends with whom she loved spending time.  It often included lunch dates, going to the movies, or just sitting in her backyard or around the pool enjoying a glass of pinot grigio. Karen and her brother Jack had an extremely close bond.  Maybe because they were the middle children in the family, but they always had each other’s back and kept close.  As a mother, Karen showed her daughters that women could be self-reliant and following your passions and dreams will always bring joy to your life.  She loved being “Grammie” to her three grandchildren.  She was fun, entertaining, loved doing activities with them, and just being silly.  She cherished every moment with them. Karen was a very special woman.  She embraced life with a vigor that was contagious.  She made others around her a priority, always giving them her time, energy, talent, and resources.  She always brought a smile to your face, made everyone feel special and appreciated, and loved her family with her entire being.  

Karen was the loving mother and mother-in-law of Dawn Day & her husband Joseph “Joda” of Sparta, NJ and Loren Stewart & her husband Kevin of Tewksbury.  She was the caring sister of Margaret “Meg” Wanders of Burlington, Gail Faretra of Burlington, Susan Wanders of Burlington, and the late John “Jack” Wanders, III.  Karen was the loving “Grammie” of Lola Stewart, Luke Stewart, and Cecilia Day.  She was also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home on Sunday, October 13 from 3-5 p.m. and will end with a funeral service at the funeral home at 5 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to join with Karen’s family to honor and celebrate her life.  Memorials in Karen’s name may be made to the Power of Flower Project, www.pofproject.org, P.O. Box 294, Tewksbury, MA 011876.  For online guestbook and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net