Karen Walsh

Karen Ann Walsh of Roslindale (formerly Braintree) passed away suddenly on August 24, 2019 at the age of 55, surrounded by loved ones. Karen was born in Dorchester, MA in 1964. She graduated from Braintree High School in 1982 and worked in the hospitality industry for many years.

Affectionately known as Squirrel by her siblings, Karen was the 6th of 8 children. By no means a middle child, in her youth she had an independent spirit which led her to trade comforts of the known for many adventurous experiences. She was a beautiful and vivacious spark whose light was extinguished much too soon.

In adulthood, Karen had two major passions in her life. The first being her best friend and partner of 30 years, Bill Gorham. Their complete devotion to one another through life’s ups and downs was both undeniable and enviable. Her other passion was the companionship of their many beloved cats. Karen adored them so much that she even memorialized one very special feline friend named Baby in a beautiful tattoo.

Karen is predeceased by her parents, George Joseph, Sr. and Rosalie Claire (Rooney) Walsh of Braintree, her brother Rick of Weymouth and her mother-in-law Ruth (Flansburg) Gorham of Weymouth. She is survived by her father-in-law William “Gus” Gorham and her faithful partner, William Gorham, Jr.

Karen is lovingly remembered by her surviving six siblings: Kathy Prario and her husband Kevin of Duxbury, George Walsh, Jr. and his wife Nancy of Marshfield, Donna Elsaesser and her husband Jay of Abington, John Walsh and his wife Maryellen of Braintree, Kevin Walsh of Missouri, and Patti Paccia and her husband David of Bridgewater. She remains in the hearts of her surviving in-laws Dianne (Dalton) Walsh of Weymouth, Dianne Freedman and her husband Ed of North Attleboro, Bob Gorham and his wife Donna of Plympton, Jayne Mocker and her husband Kevin of Attleboro, and Karyn Bowen and her husband Brian of Holyoke. She will also be greatly missed by her 14 nieces and nephews, 3 great nephews and 1 great niece.

The services will be private, but gracious gifts in Karen’s memory may be made to Woods Mullen Women’s Shelter via this customized link administered by Friends of Boston’s Homeless : https://www.fundraise.com/fobh-woodsmullen .