Obituary: Karen Chiumento, 56

Karen Chiumento, of Taylor Road, Portsmouth, died Friday, December 19, 2014 at the Philip Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence, RI.

Karen is the wife of Paul Chiumento and the mother of Katie Chiumento , both of Portsmouth. Born on June 12, 1958, in Ft. Benning, Georgia, she is the daughter of Trudy (Sullivan) Williams and the late John Soave.

Karen was raised in Brighton and Hudson, MA as a child, then moved the Framingham for her high school years. There she met Paul Chiumento, and the married soon after school. As a young woman she worked as a technology consultant and lived in Marlborough then Upton, MA. At this time Karen and Paul welcomed their daughter Katie, and she began her second career as a dedicated mother. She was involved in many of Katie’s school activities at the Whitinsville Christian School, but also in civic work, as a member of the town Finance Committee. When they moved to Portsmouth in 2003, she became active with the Portsmouth Public Education Foundation. Her sense of humor always kept her young, and involved with both school and church youth groups.

Karen’s next career began as the owner and operator of the Newport Cookie Company, where she was able to meet new people and bring joy to everyone she encountered. She especially loved working with Brides and Grooms as they searched for the perfect treat for their wedding day.

She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Paul Chiumento, her daughter Katie Chiumento and her future son in law Jonathan Russell. She also leaves her mother Trudy Williams and her stepfather Bill Williams of Uxbridge, MA, her brother John Soave of Worcester, MA, and her sister Jodie Culcasi of Northbridge, MA and numerous other family members and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, December 22 at 5:00pm at King’s Grant Fellowship, 1000 West Main Road, Portsmouth.

Memorial donations may be made to OceanPointe Christian Church in Middletown, RI, Philip Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence, RI or King’s Grant Fellowship in Portsmouth, RI.