Downes, Karen Ann Lynch Downes of Bedford, New Hampshire.
Born November 14, 1957, Karen Ann Lynch Downes lost her battle with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease on May 24, 2012. Karen is survived by her husband of 10 years, Dana P. Downes, and her two children, David J. and John P. of Bedford, NH. She was the daughter of the late William J. and Ruth M. (Donoghue) Lynch and is survived by her brother, William J. Lynch, Sr., his wife Beth and their sons, William and Michael.
She was born in Jamaica Plain and raised in Framingham, MA, graduating High School and then attended Boston College where she received her bachelor’s degree in 1979. It was after college that Karen’s real calling, to the U.S. Navy, began. She first volunteered with the USO and then received her commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1985.
Karen’s life and career took her from Hawaii, Washington, D.C., Charlestown, MA, Newport, RI, and after her marriage, to New Hampshire. She loved music, most endearingly Christmas music, which she would play year-round. She enjoyed singing with the choirs at Our Lady of Victories in Boston and St. Mary’s Church in Alexandria, VA as well as many weddings of friends.
CDR Karen Ann Lynch Downes (U.S. Navy retired) served her country faithfully for 27 years where she became a protocol officer at the Pentagon working with General Colin Powell, Pacific Command in Hawaii, the first Gulf War working with General Norman Schwarzkopf, working at the Naval Reactor Center in Washington DC, an instructor with SWOS and the Naval Command College, Newport, RI.
In the tradition of her mother she loved late night chats and extended dinners, entertaining and holiday parties. She was extremely proud of her two boys David and Jack; even though her life with them was short she left an enduring mark on their lives.
She spent her last few weeks at the VA Hospital in Manchester, NH where she was cared for with great respect, compassion and professionalism.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation in her memory to the ALS Raising Hope Foundation, www.alsraisinghope.org or Wounded Warrior Foundation, www.woundedwarrior.org
The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 29 from 5 to 8 p.m. at French & Rising Funeral Home, 17 South Mast Street, Goffstown, NH.
A second wake will be held on Wednesday, May 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 31 at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church, Chestnut Hill, followed by a graveside service at St. Joseph Cemetery in West Roxbury, Massachusetts.
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Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home
617-323-5600