Obituary of Karen Munson

Munson, Karen R.

Karen Munson (Sanford), age 59, of Cherry Creek, NY, passed away on August 10, 2018, after a long battle with COPD and congestive heart failure.

Karen was born on November 20, 1958, and resided in Eden, NY, where she graduated from Eden Senior High School in 1977. Karen spent many years with her father, Raymond Sanford Jr., on his traveling carnival, Zabel’s Amusements. Karen operated rides, worked in the ticket booths and mastered the art of making cotton candy. 

In the early 1990's she moved to Angola, NY, with her then-husband. She continued working and living the simple life, planting gardens, making jams and baking, while raising her five children: Roxanne (Travis) Wright , Nicole (Edward) Gessey, Melissa (Scott) Giles, Brian (Chelsea) Hanner, and Brandon (Anjeanette) Munson. 

Karen spent several years in Angola before relocating to Cherry Creek to be closer to her daughter, who cared for her infinitely.

Karen was a devoted and loving mother. She was extremely proud of her children's accomplishments and was excited to become a "Nana" to her grandchildren.  Karen loved holidays and family get-togethers, endless Sunday football talks with her Dad, and reading stories to her grandkids. Any chance to spend time with her family was her greatest joy. 

She was known for her robust sense of humor and an unconditional love for those close to her.  Karen believed you should never pass up a chance to say, “I love you.” Even though she struggled to speak with her COPD later in life, it never stopped her from portraying this sentiment to her beloved children and grandchildren with a heart symbol.

As her children have expressed, "Mom, you gave one hell of a fight the last year and a half. Someone in heaven just needs a mom and nana. They don't realize how lucky they are to have you." 

"Today is the hardest day of my life I had to say goodbye to my mom! She was so amazing and the strongest woman I knew.  She had a horrible disease and never gave up for us kids and her grandbabies. Mom, I miss you so much already, but I know you're your pain free and watching over all of us.  Your sun has set and what a beautiful one it was.  Till we meet again Mom, fly high, I love you!!!"

"Ever since I was a little girl I feared this day, you are free now, no more pain no more struggling to survive. I love you Mom, may you rest in peace."

"This world is not going to be the same without you in it, this isn't goodbye, until we meet again, fly high our guardian angel.”

Karen is survived by her parents, siblings, children and 12 grandchildren: Sarah, Nathan, Ryleigh, Alexis, Brant, Genevieve, Brice, Briella, Keegan, Blake, Skyler, and her unborn grandchild that is expected to arrive on her 60th birthday.

Never pass up the chance to say I love you, because tomorrow isn't promised!!

Mom, Nana, Sis- we love and miss you dearly!