Karen Gordon, 69

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HOLLISTON – Karen Gordon, 69, passed away unexpectedly on January 3, 2023. Karen was born on March 12, 1953, in Framingham, to William F. and Elinor M. (Kairit) Sheehan.

She grew up in Holliston and was a 1971 graduate of Marian High School in Framingham.

Following graduation, she attended Northeastern University in Boston, majoring in Physical Therapy, she completed her degree at Northeastern University while in Florida.

After college, Karen enjoyed working as a nanny aboard a private yacht for a prominent Boston family for several years. She was treated as family and held precious memories of the children for whom she cared. This is when she first visited St. Augustine, FL. In 1978, she married Wayne Gordon and together they raised a family of three daughters, Melissa, Jennifer, and Kristen in St. Augustine.

Karen enjoyed several rewarding careers: Flagler Hospital as part of the Emergency Room staff, co-owner of North Florida Credit Bureau, and before retiring she worked at Haven Hospice. One of her most rewarding jobs was working for Girl Scouts of America as Director of Human Resources. She dedicated many years to the Girl Scouts, where she ultimately received the Women of Distinction – World of Girl Scouting in 2003 Award.

Karen volunteered for many organizations where she gave countless hours of her time. Karen was a Girl Scout herself, earning numerous badges. Through the years she was recognized for donating more than 7 gallons of blood to the St. Johns County Blood Bank. Other community organizations that were important to her in recent years included Wildflower Healthcare and Haven Hospice.

Karen was very dedicated and accomplished in all her endeavors, cared deeply for those she worked with, and along the way made many lifelong friends. She enjoyed watching her girls and now her grandchildren play sports and perform in recitals. Karen also enjoyed the Jacksonville Jaguars, having season tickets for many years.

Most people that knew or met Karen would easily describe her as always joyful and a friend to all. She was always ready for the next adventure, her favorites being the beach, boating, fishing, and cruising. She loved every minute spent with her daughters and their families. From Disney trips, vacations to Aruba, or Caribbean adventures with family and friends, all were filled with joy, laughter, and great memories.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Melissa Gordon, her partner Shawn McDonald, Jennifer McFee, and husband Richard, Kristen Hunt, and husband Adam all of St. Augustine; her grandchildren, Caleb and Logan McFee, Seth, Daniel, and Abigail Hunt; her sisters, Kathleen Sheehan, Jean and husband Steven Tutuny, Joan McGillicuddy and husband Michael, Theresa Maguire and husband Timothy, and two sisters-in-law, Pauline Sheehan, and Lynn Church, as well as her former husband, Wayne. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, and lifetime friends. We are forever grateful she lived every day to the fullest, with smiles, laughter, and love.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brother William T. Sheehan, and her sister-in-law, Beverly Gordon.

A celebration of Karen’s life will be held in Florida under the care of St John’s Family Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Karen’s memory would be welcome to Haven Hospice Foundation (https://beyourhaven.org/donate) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (https://www.stjude.org/donate).

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