Reading's Karen Dugan Passes Away

Karen Elizabeth (Story) Dugan, 76, of Reading. Beloved wife of Terrance Joseph “Terry” Dugan, died in the early morning hours on Christmas Day, Dec. 25th, after a lengthy illness that led her to her final days at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, surrounded by her family.

Born in Winchester on March 28, 1942 to the late Ralph Burnham Story and Catherine Annette "Gar" Chane, Karen was a descendant of the Essex, Massachusetts historic shipbuilding Story and Burnham families. She was raised and educated in Reading and graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1959. She was a talented Executive Assistant who spent the majority of her career working for the management consulting firm, Organizational Dynamics, Inc. (ODI).

Karen’s greatest passion in life was her family. She adored her 6 children, 21 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. She loved getting together with family over the holidays. She enjoyed collecting antiques. She cherished old family recipes, including her great grandmother, Mama Doots’ homemade bread and jam. She also had a great affection for cats and opened her heart and home to several over the years.

Karen was adored by her family and will be lovingly remembered as a kind, compassionate, and generous soul. She was predeceased by her first-born son, Scott Michael “Scotty” Dugan. She is survived by her only daughter, Jill (Anthony) Chapdelaine, and her sons, Terry (Maryellen) Dugan Jr., Patrick (Kathryn) Dugan, Timothy (Olivia) Dugan, and Daniel (Kelley) Dugan. Also surviving is her sister Virginia (Wes) Bowers, her grandchildren, great grandchild, cousins, niece, nephew, cherished friends and colleagues.

Funeral Services in Funeral Home, on Monday, Dec. 31st at 11 am. Interment immediately following at Wood End Cemetery, Reading. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Sunday, Dec. 30th from 2-5 pm in the Funeral Home.

Those who so desire may make memorial donations in memory of Karen E. Dugan to Noble Family Animal Care and Adoption Center (MSPCA), 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.