Karen E. (Aprile) Rowe

Karen (Aprile) Rowe, 77, of Georgetown, MA, died unexpectedly at Beverly Hospital on October 27, 2022, with her two daughters at her side. Karen was the daughter of the late Anthony and Madeline (Gaynor) Aprile of Lynn, MA.  She was predeceased by the love of her life for 52 years, her husband, Russell Rowe. She leaves behind her daughters Danielle, wife of Thomas Donahue of Danville, NH and Heather, wife of Mark Paquette, Sr. of Tewksbury; sister Ellen Eagar and husband Jim; brother-in-law Peter Rowe and his wife Susan; and sister-in-law Martha, wife of Keith Williams as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graduate of Lynn English High School in 1962, she earned a B.A. from Salem State University in 1966. She worked for decades as a public-school English and French teacher, starting her career at Holten-Richmond Middle School in Danvers, then Georgetown Junior/Senior High School, where she was a beloved teacher to thousands of students up through 1999.   She was a passionate educator.  Once you sat in her classroom, you were her student for life.  She loved to stay in touch with former students and was quick to share her encouragement and pride in their personal and professional accomplishments.

Karen was an active member of St. Mary Parish in Georgetown and volunteered countless hours teaching CCD, visiting the sick, lectoring, serving communion, baking for events and participating in the Women’s Club.  She was active in her community during her 50 years as a resident of Georgetown, generously giving of her time and talents both while her children were growing up and all through her retirement years.

Nothing made Nana Karen happier than seeing and attending events for her grandchildren Monica, Mark Jr., P. Joseph and Nicole Paquette and Thomas and Owen Donahue; and great grandchildren Rafael and Daylani Jacoboski, Aiden Paquette, and Kona Paquette.  She loved to share her passion for music, theater and dachshunds. The addition to the family of Franklin Longfellow, her miniature dachshund puppy, brought countless hours of laughter and joy.

Calling hours will be held at Conte-Giamberardino Funeral Home, 14 Pleasant St, Georgetown, MA, on Sunday, November 6, 2022, from 2:00-6:00PM.  A celebration of life will be held at St. Mary Parish in Georgetown on Monday, November 7, 2022, at 11:00AM.  All are invited to attend.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Karen’s name may be made to the American Heart Association.  To share a memory of Karen with her family, please visit www.cgfuneralhomegeorgetown.com.

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