Karen “Kab” Lee (Gerry) Carchia of Windham, NH, formally of Wakefield, MA, left this Earth peacefully on Monday, February 22, 2021 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Malden, MA on September 6th, 1945, to the late Fred and Sally Gerry. She had many passions in her life including knitting, singing in the Wakefield Community Chorus with her dad, and spending summers on Prudence Island with her best friend Maureen.
Karen devoted her career to serving the community as a registered nurse. She graduated from Melrose-Wakefield Hospital School of Nursing in 1967 and immediately jumped right into caring for her many patients. She felt fortunate to experience many areas of nursing including the NICU, substance abuse, labor and delivery, and eventually becoming the Women's Health Coordinator at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.
Karen had a strong affinity for the latest fashions. Her ability to walk into Macy's with only her purse and a gleam in her eye and walk out with dozens of bags full of the latest trends, made her the envy of all who knew her. She loved all things chocolate. Her bedside table, always stocked with pastries and chocolate, could put any bakery or candy store to shame. Karen's greatest joy came from her undying love for her grandchildren. Nona, as she was so affectionately known, would do anything for her grandchildren and would never pass up the opportunity to shower them with hugs and treats. She was always there for them and would do anything to make them happy.
Karen left a warm impression on each and every person in her life and will be missed dearly by all who knew her. She was predeceased by her granddaughter Emma Carchia. She is survived by her husband of 53 years and high school sweet heart, Michael Carchia of Windham, NH, her son, Michael and his wife Marybeth Carchia of Fairfax, VA, her son, Jeffrey Carchia of Londonderry, NH, her daughter, Sally and her husband Richard Mastalerz II of Litchfield, NH, her daughter, Kristina and her husband Daniel Michaud of Windham, NH, and her grandchildren, Zachary Mastalerz, Emily Carchia, Olivia Mastalerz, Michael Carchia, Kevin Carchia, Aiden Michaud, Logan Michaud, & Collin Michaud. Karen is also survived by her three brothers, Chris and his wife Tracy Gerry of Groveland, MA, David and his wife Jen Moore of Derry, NH, and Jim Gerry of California, her sister Carol “Bo” Tufts of Sanford, ME, several nieces and nephews, and her two dearest friends Maureen Kelley of Litchfield, NH, and Pammy Hnatowicz of Beverly, MA.
A wake in Karen's honor will be held on Saturday February 27, 2021 from 3:00pm-5:00pm at the Peabody Funeral Home 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, NH. Due to State of NH guidelines, all guests are required to wear masks, minimize contact, and maintain social distancing. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the childhood cancer charity Sophia's Fund. Checks can be sent to 4 Settlement Rd. Sandown, NH 03873 or donations can be made on the website at
www.sophiasfund.org. To send a condolence, please visit www.peabodyfuneralhome.com.