Obituary of Karen Staples

Karen Lee Staples passed away suddenly on Sunday, September 17, 2017. She was 75 years old. Karen was born in Winchester, the daughter of Ralph and Lillian Staples. She grew up in Stoneham where she attended St. Patrick’s School and graduated from Stoneham High School. She went to work as a teller at Malden Trust, where she worked for well over 20 years, holding various positions. When Malden Trust closed she went on to work at Middlesex Federal Savings in Somerville until she retired. As a banker, she enjoyed being part of the community and seeing her longtime customers, who were like family. Karen’s life revolved around her family and friends. She was a devoted daughter to the late Ralph and Lillian Staples. She lived with her Mom in her later years, ensuring her mother the opportunity to live at home. Her mother lovingly raised her, and was always there for her as a child and as an adult; it was Karen’s gift to return that love and devotion for her mom. That love for family did not stop with her Mom. Karen was like a second mother to her nieces, Stacie and Lisa, and nephew, Dan. Karen’s closeness was demonstrated through having lived with Stacie for the past 42 years. Over time, Karen became known just as “Auntie”. She was Auntie to her nieces and nephews, her great nephews, her neighbors, the mailman, and teachers. She had a great bond with her great nephews, Tommy and Jared. She was there for them in the morning, helping them get ready for school, driving them to and from school each day, helping with their homework, and shuttling them along to all their activities, friend’s homes, and sports. Karen was like another mother and grandmother to them. She felt so blessed to be a part of Stacie, Stephen, Tommy, and Jared’s lives; this gave her such joy and fulfillment. That kindness and love extended though her family and friends. Karen always let those she cared for know how she felt and always ended her conversations by saying “I Love You”. . Karen had a great group of friends, whom they referred to themselves as the “Golden Girls”. The “Golden Girls” got together every Wednesday night whether at someone’s home, out to a restaurant, and some other fun activity. They never needed to catch up on events because they talked to each other every day. They had so much fun together and they loved to laugh. If anyone was down, having a bad day, or needed a helping hand, they were there for each other. They were the best of friends. . Karen was the beloved “Auntie” to Stacie and her husband Stephen Sheridan, Jr. of Billerica, Lisa Pollock of Arlington and the late Daniel Pollock. Sister of Dianne Pollock of Salem, NH. Great Auntie of Tommy and Jared Sheridan. She was also survived by many other family and friends. . Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 5-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Thursday at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. The burial will be private. Memorials in Karen’s name in honor of her great nephew, Jared, may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215 or www.childrenshospital.org. For directions obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net