SPRINGFIELD – Karen A. Der Sarkisian, 57, of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Friday, April 1, 2016. After a valiant effort, she passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield from the effects of chemotherapy for Hodgkins Lymphoma. She was born in Springfield on October 3, 1958, a beloved daughter of the late Peter Der Sarkisian who was Called Home on January 12, 2005 and Emra M. (Karam) Der Sarkisian who was Called Home on August 4, 2013. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Karen underwent several operations as a child and teen at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield. She attended a private school in Great Barrington, Massachusetts and earned her GED. She later went on to study Early Childhood Education at Springfield Technical Community College to pursue her wish to become a kindergarten teacher as she possessed such a strong love for children. Despite her many hardships throughout her life, Karen strived to live as independently as possible, enjoying simple pleasures as she viewed life through the eyes of a child. An innocent gentle soul, full of love, Karen always had a smile and a laugh that would melt your heart. She was truly the jewel of the family. Taken much too soon, she will be sadly missed by her three brothers and her sister, Greg P. Der Sarkisian and his wife, Ami Walling, of Carroll, OH, Paul C. Der Sarkisian of Destin, FL, Edward J. Der Sarkisian and his fiancée, Elizabeth Richardson, of Belchertown, and Theresa M. Golonka and her husband, John, of Chicopee; her two nieces and nephew, Emerra, Payton and Noah Der Sarkisian; her aunt, Betty Caronna of Enfield, CT; her numerous cousins; and her close friends, the Zubchyk family, Kateryna, Serge, Iryna, Russ and Emma who loved and cared for her like a member of their own family. Her funeral will be held privately for the family at Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church followed by burial at Saint Michael Cemetery, both in Springfield. St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 has been entrusted with her arrangements. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, (Specify Springfield), 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com