Karen (Schmidt) Conroy

Karen (Schmidt) Conroy, age 67, of Walpole, formerly Norwood, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Born in Boston, she was the daughter of James "Jim" Schmidt Sr. and the late Barbara (Howard) Schmidt.

Karen devoted much of her life to care of animals, notably through organizations Save A Dog and North East Animal Rescue, which help dogs and cats find forever homes with loving adoptive families. She used her study of art and education as a graduate of Bridgewater State college to start her pastel business “Petstels”, creating life-like custom pet portraits. She spent many years in event planning and customer service, always the go to for problem solving.

Before graduating from Norwood High School, she was in the color guard and played football (against her mother’s wishes!). She was a devoted New England Patriots fan. She loved to dance after years of lessons and taught aerobics. Her deep love of music spanned all genres, but her favorite was 1970s Singers and Songwriters like Kenny Loggins. A perfect day would be spent with family at the beach in Yarmouth or with her pets to catch the sunset at Sebago Lake in Maine.

Karen is survived by her father, James "Jim" Schmidt, Sr. of Norwood, brothers James "Jay" Schmidt, Jr. of Colorado Springs, CO and his wife Donna; Robert "Bob" Schmidt of Milton, and his wife Jeanne; and John "Jack" Schmidt of Nashua, NH and his wife Joanne. She is beloved aunt to Jennifer Schmidt of Colorado Springs, CO; Todd Schmidt of Kingston; Jeffrey Schmidt of Colorado Springs, CO; Matthew Schmidt of Beverly; Joseph Schmidt of Pembroke; Jonathan Schmidt of Colorado Springs, CO; Alexandra Davis of Kamas, UT; and Kathryn Schmidt of Colorado Springs, CO. She also leaves cherished aunts, uncle, cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews and countless friends she considered family.

Visiting Hours will be held in the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole Street (Rt. 1A), NORWOOD on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 4-7 PM. Friends and family are invited to gather in the Funeral Home on Thursday, June 18, 2026, beginning at 10:30 AM prior to the Funeral Service at 11 o'clock. Immediately following the Funeral Service, all are invited to join the family as they gather at the Knights of Columbus #2259, 572 Nichols Street, Norwood. At the request of the family, Interment will be private.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in Karen’s memory to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, please see: https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/Donation2?df_id=2100&mfc_pref=T&2100.donation=form1