Obituary for Karen A. Sullivan (Ploeger)
Sullivan, Karen A. (Ploeger), 77, of Cambridge, MA, peacefully passed away at her home on August 31, 2020.
Karen was the beloved daughter of the late Henry C. Ploeger and Evelyn M. (Short). Born on September 4, 1942 in St. Louis, MO, she called many places home throughout her early years. However, Karen’s most treasured home was in Cambridge, where she put down her family roots and tenderly nourished those roots - and their myriad of treasured shoots - for over 55 years.
Karen was the loving mother of Nancy B. (Sullivan) Bakanowsky and her husband Louis J. III of Ashburnham, MA; and Paul J. Sullivan, Jr. and his wife Nicole J. of Novato, CA. She was the proud grandmother of: Hannah A. (Bakanowsky) Skey and her husband Kyle D. of Ashburnham, MA; Louis J. Bakanowsky IV and his fiancée Allison A. of North Andover, MA; and Molly R. Sullivan and Tessa E. Sullivan of Barrington, RI. Karen was also the incredibly proud great-grandmother of Sophia G. Skey of Ashburnham, MA; the dear sister of Nancy C. Ploeger of NYC, NY; and dear friend of Carol Mahoney of Cambridge, MA.
Karen was universally known for her gentle and gracious nature. During her lifetime, colleagues, friends, and neighbors often spoke of her seemingly infinite kindness, compassion, and thoughtfulness. Family and friends were at the core of Karen’s life, and just as she lovingly tended to her beautiful gardens, she did the same with each person fortunate to have been a part of her life.
A private Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter’s Church, in Cambridge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Karen’s memory to: McLean Hospital, 115 Mill St., Mail Stop 126, Belmont, MA 02478-9106, or online at mcleanhospital.org/give
Karen was the beloved daughter of the late Henry C. Ploeger and Evelyn M. (Short). Born on September 4, 1942 in St. Louis, MO, she called many places home throughout her early years. However, Karen’s most treasured home was in Cambridge, where she put down her family roots and tenderly nourished those roots - and their myriad of treasured shoots - for over 55 years.
Karen was the loving mother of Nancy B. (Sullivan) Bakanowsky and her husband Louis J. III of Ashburnham, MA; and Paul J. Sullivan, Jr. and his wife Nicole J. of Novato, CA. She was the proud grandmother of: Hannah A. (Bakanowsky) Skey and her husband Kyle D. of Ashburnham, MA; Louis J. Bakanowsky IV and his fiancée Allison A. of North Andover, MA; and Molly R. Sullivan and Tessa E. Sullivan of Barrington, RI. Karen was also the incredibly proud great-grandmother of Sophia G. Skey of Ashburnham, MA; the dear sister of Nancy C. Ploeger of NYC, NY; and dear friend of Carol Mahoney of Cambridge, MA.
Karen was universally known for her gentle and gracious nature. During her lifetime, colleagues, friends, and neighbors often spoke of her seemingly infinite kindness, compassion, and thoughtfulness. Family and friends were at the core of Karen’s life, and just as she lovingly tended to her beautiful gardens, she did the same with each person fortunate to have been a part of her life.
A private Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter’s Church, in Cambridge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Karen’s memory to: McLean Hospital, 115 Mill St., Mail Stop 126, Belmont, MA 02478-9106, or online at mcleanhospital.org/give