Karen J. Fennelly

Millbury – Ms. Karen J. Fennelly, of Millbury, formerly of Waltham, died suddenly at home on Friday, October 26, 2018. She was 54.

Karen was born in Waltham on February 20, 1964, a daughter of the late Richard M., Jr. and Joan M. (Daggett) Fennelly, and was a 1982 graduate of Waltham High School. She had been a lifelong Waltham resident before moving to Framingham in 2001 and then to Millbury three years ago.

She attended Johnson and Wales College in Providence, Rhode Island and graduated from Mount Ida College in Newton where she earned a degree in funeral service. As a funeral director she worked for years alongside her father, Dick Fennelly, who owned the Walsh-Fennelly Funeral Home on High Street in Waltham. Karen will long be remembered for her caring, kind and gentle nature . . . always willing to help . . . and always with a smile.

She was a longtime member of the 100 Club of Boston and shared her love of animals with her family . . . two of her cats, Blackie and Mia, were longtime companions.

Karen's death occurred a little over a week after her brother, Richard M. Fennelly, III died on October 17, 2018.

She leaves her brothers, Gregory Fennelly (Rosemarie) of Natick and William W. Fennelly (Laura) of Millbury; her niece and nephews, Ashley, Richard, IV, Gregory, Kyle, Christopher and William Fennelly; her aunts and uncles, William Fennelly (Jan) of Mendon, Arlene Campbell (Gordon) of Rockville, Maryland and Cheri Daggett of Mashpee; cousins and their families.

Karen was also a niece of the late Sheila and Don Anderson.

Family and friends will honor and remember Karen's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, November 4th from 2 to 5 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Charles Chapel, 51 Hall Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

". . . how beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it."