Karen L. Sturgis

Karen Lynne Sturgis, nee Bailey, 57 passed away on March 4, 2020 of complications of FTD (FrontoTemporal Degeneration) in her home in Newark, DE with her husband, mother, and her loving caretaker, Stephanie at her side. Thanks to the loving care that was provided by everyone at Compassionate Care Hospice, Jim and Stephanie she was able to be cared for at home for the 3 ½ years she was fighting the disease. She was born in Philadelphia. She was the daughter of Margaret Amendola Bailey and late Raymond E. Bailey of Reading, PA. Karen was a graduate of the International School of Brussels (Belgium) and a graduate of the University of Delaware, earning a Bachelor's degree in Sociology.  Karen dedicated her life to helping abused children and their families and worked for the state of Delaware as a Social Worker, Supervisor, and Adoption Worker for 30 years and 6 months. Her kindness and dedication to her job helped countless families deal with sometimes tragic circumstances and repair their lives. It is a testament to her inner strength that she fought so bravely for these victims yet maintained such a light hearted and upbeat attitude every day. Her infectious laugh and joyous smile will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Karen developed a love of travel after living abroad as a teenager. She never turned down a trip to the beach, a weekend getaway or vacation with her loving husband Jim. She particularly enjoyed attending live concerts with her husband Jim. Bruce Springsteen was her favorite artist. Karen and her husband travelled frequently to Annapolis to the Rams Head Tavern to see her favorite tribute bands.

Karen is survived by her loving husband Jim, his sons Chad and Michael, her mother Margaret, brother Michael and wife Heather (Smith) and their children, Micaela and Ryan, all of Devon, PA, and many other family members. She was predeceased by her father, Raymond E. Bailey, her aunt Dolores (Amendola) Lebeis and her uncle John Baley, her grandparents and many other loving family members.

Services will be held at Beeson Funeral Home at 2053 Pulaski Hwy, Newark, DE 19702 on March 15, 2020 with a memorial from 10:00 am to 11:00 followed by the funeral service from 11:00 to 12:00. A Celebration of Life will be held at the La Casa Pasta, 120 4 Seasons Parkway, Newark, DE 19702 immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration at www.TheAFTD.org.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Karen L. Sturgis, please visit our floral store.