Karen Matthews
September 4, 1948 ~ June 11, 2022 (age 73) 73 Years Old
Tribute
Karen A. Matthews
Beloved Aunt and friend
Wolcott – Karen Ann Matthews died on June 11, 2022 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Born on September 4, 1948, Karen was raised in Wolcott by the late Earl Wooster Jr. and Bernadette Wooster. During her childhood, summers spent with her family in Maine, picnics at Hammonasset Beach, cheerleading, and sports were among her cherished memories.
After graduating from Wolcott High School in 1966, Karen studied at Southern CT State University where she completed several degrees in elementary education and then began her career as a first grade teacher in Wolcott. She also coached tennis at the high school and ran the scoreboard during basketball season. Beloved by her students, Karen’s enthusiasm and curiosity made learning fun, and many of her students continued to visit or write to her years later. Highly regarded by colleagues, she was voted Tyrrell School’s Teacher of the Year in 1990 and inducted into the Wolcott Circle of Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
After retirement, Karen created a new path, deciding to fulfill her life-long dream to move to Cape Cod where she lived for 20 years. She was a member of the Garden Club and Nauset Newcomers Club, initiated a group called the Lunch Bunch, visited every beach, ate at every restaurant, and made many new and lasting friendships. Whenever CT friends came to visit, as the often did, Karen had new discoveries and adventures to recommend. A kind and empathic soul, Karen enjoyed a deep bond and love for her favorite canine companions, 8-Ball, Ben, Belle, and Ditto. They gave her the strength and unconditional love that helped her face each day’s obstacles.
Karen was a courageous and vibrant person to the end of her full life. She delighted in entertaining, loved to travel and found pleasure in gardening. Throughout her life, Karen counted herself blessed by an abundance and diversity of friends who will carry her memory forever.
Karen is survived by her sister, Judy Murphy of Glen Allen, VA.; her brother, Earl Wooster III and his wife Cathy of Waxhaw, NC; and her loving nieces who thought of her fondly as Auntie Karnu, Ronni Cinella and her husband John of Glen Allen, VA, Karri Williams and her husband Eric of Wolcott, and Heather Bailey and her husband Trey of Waxhaw, NC. She is also remembered by the Schell cousins and her six grandnieces and nephews.
There will be a service celebrating Karen’s life at 5:00 P.M. on July 15 at the First Congregational Church, 185 Center St., Wolcott followed by a reception in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Karen’s memory can be made via Venmo (@vintagepetrescue) or personal check to Vintage Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 194, Foster, RI 02825 or the Humane Society.
Beloved Aunt and friend
Wolcott – Karen Ann Matthews died on June 11, 2022 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Born on September 4, 1948, Karen was raised in Wolcott by the late Earl Wooster Jr. and Bernadette Wooster. During her childhood, summers spent with her family in Maine, picnics at Hammonasset Beach, cheerleading, and sports were among her cherished memories.
After graduating from Wolcott High School in 1966, Karen studied at Southern CT State University where she completed several degrees in elementary education and then began her career as a first grade teacher in Wolcott. She also coached tennis at the high school and ran the scoreboard during basketball season. Beloved by her students, Karen’s enthusiasm and curiosity made learning fun, and many of her students continued to visit or write to her years later. Highly regarded by colleagues, she was voted Tyrrell School’s Teacher of the Year in 1990 and inducted into the Wolcott Circle of Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
After retirement, Karen created a new path, deciding to fulfill her life-long dream to move to Cape Cod where she lived for 20 years. She was a member of the Garden Club and Nauset Newcomers Club, initiated a group called the Lunch Bunch, visited every beach, ate at every restaurant, and made many new and lasting friendships. Whenever CT friends came to visit, as the often did, Karen had new discoveries and adventures to recommend. A kind and empathic soul, Karen enjoyed a deep bond and love for her favorite canine companions, 8-Ball, Ben, Belle, and Ditto. They gave her the strength and unconditional love that helped her face each day’s obstacles.
Karen was a courageous and vibrant person to the end of her full life. She delighted in entertaining, loved to travel and found pleasure in gardening. Throughout her life, Karen counted herself blessed by an abundance and diversity of friends who will carry her memory forever.
Karen is survived by her sister, Judy Murphy of Glen Allen, VA.; her brother, Earl Wooster III and his wife Cathy of Waxhaw, NC; and her loving nieces who thought of her fondly as Auntie Karnu, Ronni Cinella and her husband John of Glen Allen, VA, Karri Williams and her husband Eric of Wolcott, and Heather Bailey and her husband Trey of Waxhaw, NC. She is also remembered by the Schell cousins and her six grandnieces and nephews.
There will be a service celebrating Karen’s life at 5:00 P.M. on July 15 at the First Congregational Church, 185 Center St., Wolcott followed by a reception in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Karen’s memory can be made via Venmo (@vintagepetrescue) or personal check to Vintage Pet Rescue, P.O. Box 194, Foster, RI 02825 or the Humane Society.
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