Karen L. Daniels of Agawam passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Friday, August 23, 2019. Karen was the beloved daughter of the late David and Virginia Blackburn. She leaves behind and will be dearly missed by her beloved partner of 27 years Leo Florence. She also leaves behind her children Jon Daniels and his wife Rebecca of Windham, NH, her daughter Lani Parnell and her husband Jay of Holyoke, as well as her grandchildren Alyssa, Audra and Isabelle Daniels and Tyler Parnell and his wife Allison, Connor Parnell and his girlfriend Ashley Paul and Ryan Parnell. Karen also leaves behind her brother Steve Blackburn and his wife SanDee of Russell and was pre-deceased by her brother Brian Blackburn. She leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her step daughter Tania Spear and her husband Greg of West Springfield her step son Kenneth Florence and his wife Lori of Agawam, as well as her step-grandchildren Anthony Spear, Taryn Pandolfi and her husband Nick, Michael Spear, Emmalee Spear, Ashley Florence and Rachel Florence as well as her step great-grandchildren Brody, Luke and Gwendolyn Pandolfi. Karen was a graduate of Westfield State College with a Bachelor’s Degree. She retired in 2010 after more than 30 years with the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Karen was an avid gardener, hiker, skier, bicyclist as well as an outdoor and nature enthusiast and supporter. Karen loved sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm of the outdoors with her family. Karen was once quoted as saying “I was brought up in a hiking family, and I want to pass on the love of the outdoors to my grandchildren.” Karen loved being a hike leader with the Appalachian Mountain Club as well as the Tuesday hikers. She was a member of the Allen Bird Club, the Naturalists Club, Audubon Association, Trustees of Reservations, Friends of Robinson State Park as well as many others. Karen also spent many summers on Cape Cod with her family. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 from 4 – 8 P.M. at the Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home, 985 Main St., Agawam. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. For more information or to offer an online condolence please visit www.Forastiere.com
Published in The Republican on Aug. 29, 2019