Karen ("Riley") Tanzella, 63, passed away on July 8, 2009 at her home surrounded by her family after a 21 year unprecedented battle with breast cancer. She was under the outpatient care of Hospice of the North Shore and their team of Angels. Born in Salem Hospital and spending her years up to High School in Danvers, Karen moved around before settling back in Danvers for the past 27 years.
She was wife and friend for 43 years to Frank, mother to Philip of Danvers, and Kely of Londonderry, NH, and a proud grandmother to Kayla of Danvers and Riley, James, and Shannon of Londonderry, NH. Her sister Mary lives in Woburn and her brothers Kenneth and Alan live in Peabody. Karen served many roles including being a second mother and aunt to Amanda of Hilton Head, SC and Cari of Gloucester, and aunt to many nieces and nephews from all over the country. She shared a special breast cancer sisterhood with Della of Arlington, VA who is now a 30 plus year survivor. Also, in a very special way, she was traveling companion, shopping companion, "psychiatrist", and best friends with Phyllis of Waterboro ME. She was predeceased by her parents Henry and Mabel (Bell) Riley of Danvers Port and Topsfield.
She became an instant and lifetime friend to all who knew her. Her white Mercedes Benz could be seen daily in trips to Danvers square and never escaped the notice of Val if left in the wrong location. These trips included lunch with friends at Brother's, or a hair cut or color with Vinnie and the girls at Hair Idea. She also helped to establish TEKTRON, Inc. of Topsfield with her husband, and worked in the business until her retirement.
Karen enjoyed traveling all over the world with the motto "I'll just grab a toothbrush and buy everything else when I get there". She loved her trips to Ireland, the land of her ancestors, (especially the one with Norm and Joanne), and her cruises in the cold winter months. A pleasure for her was sitting on her boat the "Irish Dancer" at the Danvers Port Yacht Club watching the scenery and making new friends.
She was a once in a lifetime individual and she will be missed along with the laughter and warmth that made her one of a kind. The Sun will shine a bit dimmer, and the midnight sky will be missing the brightness of one less star. Her ability to fit in, and be comfortable with everyone she met from people who are down on their luck, to the United States Senators who knew her by name will forever be etched in history. Her legacy will not be forgotten and will be passed down from generation to generation.
Rest peacefully my love, until we are together again. Frank.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Sat., July 11, 2009 at 9AM in St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, Conant St., Danvers. Burial will follow in Annunciation Cemetery, Hobart St., Danvers. Vst. hrs are Friday from 4PM-8PM at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th fl, Brookline, MA 02445, ATTN: Contribution Services.