Union, NJ – Karen Marie (Lewis) Deegan, 78, passed away peacefully on December 27, 2023, after a lengthy illness, with family at her side.

She grew up in Rockland, MA surrounded by a large extended family on both sides that she cherished. She graduated from Rockland High School. After spending most of her life on the South Shore of Massachusetts, Karen moved to New Jersey in 2011 to be closer to her daughter and her grandson.

Karen adored her family, especially her children and grandchildren. It was through her interactions with them that all her best traits were on display – unshakeable kindness, loving patience, and a humorous sense of fun. As a single mom, she managed a busy household and worked to ensure all three of her children were able to receive a college education. She loved crafting and floral arranging, and frequently shared that love with her family and friends. She had a rare gift for making each person she met feel special and important. She leaves all that knew her blessed with memories of the simple conversations she had with them and the genuine attention she paid to them. She will be greatly missed.

Karen was predeceased by her parents, Edward Francis Lewis and Muriel Louise (Doherty) Lewis, of Rockland, MA.

She is survived by her daughter Laura Crossen of Summit, NJ and her two sons, Glenn Deegan of Milton, MA, and Mark Deegan of Arlington, VA, as well as her six beloved grandchildren, John Crossen of Summit, NJ, Allison, Kyle and Emily Deegan of Milton, MA, and Shelby and Luke Deegan of Arlington, VA.

Her life will be celebrated at a private memorial service for family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Karen Deegan’s name to support Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Please visit https://giving.mskcc.org/honor for information on how to donate. In the alternative, checks made payable to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center should be mailed to:

Attn: Community Fundraising

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Office of Development

PO Box 27106

New York, NY 10087

Please indicate on the check memo line that the gift is in memory of Karen Deegan.