Karen W. Maloney

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Karen Waugh Maloney 8/1/1945-4/24/2025. Karen passed away surrounded by her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson after a four-month battle with cancer. She was able to stay at home and with family due to the amazing people at Hope Hospice of RI and Care Central Hospice of MA. Her hospice nurses, Heather and Kelsey, supported both Karen and her family as they cared for her. The family was blessed to have the aid of a CNA/Death Doula, to support both Karen and the family in her final days and after her passing. Karen's dear friends and neighbors surrounded both Karen and her daughter to provide support, companionship, meals, moving assistance, and more.

Karen was a remarkable woman. Many decades of sobriety gave her a spiritual perspective that allowed her to overcome many challenges in her life. With her extreme stubbornness, quick wit, and incredible sense of humor (and a well-timed curse word or two) she was able to help countless people along the way. Even after her diagnosis, she courageously shared many intimate and meaningful conversations with her family and friends.

In addition to being a master gardener and creating many amazing spaces throughout her life, she also had a knack for creating beauty in her home. She was an animal lover and received great joy from riding horses. She loved Korean television shows and movies and became the queen of reading subtitles. She was highly competitive when playing dominoes, cards or any other game and was unbeatable at Scrabble.

Karen worked at WADK in Newport for several years and at St. Edmund's Retreat on Enders Island where she served as the events coordinator. She was passionate about her work and treasured her relationships with her coworkers.

Karen is survived and greatly missed by her daughter, Jannine Salo; son-in-law, Michael Richardson; grandson, Taylor Salo; son, Tom Dowler; and daughter-in-law, Renne Dowler. Her angel granddaughter, who left this world far too young, Faith Dowler, was also close to her heart. Her dearest friend Jan and Jan’s family, her friends from meetings throughout the state and a handful of very close friends from her favorite "not knitting group" feel her loss deeply as well.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Peace Dale Public Library in Wakefield on June 14th from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Please come and share a story or memory!

In lieu of cards and flowers, we ask for donations in Karen's name to be sent to the small nonprofit that was critical in her final weeks. Care Central VNA & Hospice, Inc 34 Pearly Lane, Gardener, MA 01440.