Karen S. Dreyer

Karen S. (Stapelfeld) Dreyer, age 76, of Taunton, and Naples, Florida passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. She was the loving wife of Frederic C. Dreyer, Jr. to whom she had been married for 54 years. Since they met in 1959, “Rick” says he has considered her a gift from God and has cherished every moment they have spent together until God took her home.

Born in Marlboro, MA, she was the daughter of the late Walter R. and Ethel (Belmore) Stapelfeld. Since 1965, Karen, Rick and children were residents of Greater Fall River and surrounding communities. For 40 years, she enjoyed their summer home in Falmouth entertaining family and friends.

She graduated with honors from both, Marlboro High School, Class of 1959, and Becker College in Worcester. As an active member for over 50 years of the First Congregational Church in Fall River, she held many offices and was named Moderator. She enjoyed years singing in the choir and playing bells.

Karen was a board member of Family Service Association for 20 years, 12 years as Chairman. The Board room was named in her honor, designated by a plaque and portrait of her.

In June of 1992, Karen was honored by the Fall River Chamber of Commerce for extraordinary voluntary services to the community; she received numerous citations from community and state leaders.

She was member of the Women’s Union, Women’s Club and a quilting group in Fall River, and served many years as a volunteer and active member of the hospital Auxiliary. At the Home for the Aged she was a board member and enjoyed spending time with residents.

Karen was her husband Frederic’s strongest supporter and inspiration ever since their first date on November 21, 1959 and through all the years, especially during his 30 years as President/CEO of Charlton Memorial Hospital. People at the hospital sometimes referred to her as the hospital’s “First Lady”.

The roles most fulfilling to Mrs. Dreyer’s life were wife, mother, grandmother and caregiver of her aged parents. Those closest to her are saying “anyone who ever had the good fortune of knowing her was touched by an Angel.”

She is survived by son William Dreyer and wife Catherine of Falmouth; daughter Carla Anne Henderson and husband David of Mamaroneck, NY; sister, Carla Rock and husband Fred Frey of West Chester, PA; brother, Norval Stapelfeld and wife Luda of Manchester, NH; five grandchildren, Lauren, Julia and William Henderson; Nicholas and Carolyn Dreyer, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at the First Congregational Church of Falmouth, 68 Main Street, Falmouth, MA. The regular Sunday service will be held at 10:00AM, October 21, 2018 at the First Congregational Church, 282 Rock St., Fall River, MA in memory of Karen.

Contributions in her honor may be made to Family Service Association, 101 Rock St., Fall River, MA 02720 or to the First Congregational Church, 282 Rock St., Fall River, MA 02720.