Karen Louise Mathews

Karen Louise Mathews, age 68, of Middleton passed away peacefully at her home on June 27, 2025. She was born in Lynn on April 11, 1957 to the late Norman A. and Phyllis H. (Howell) Newhall.

Karen graduated from Colby-Sawyer College in 1977, and then went on to Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists/Northeastern University, graduating in 1980. Though she had a love for her vocation, Karen’s proudest achievement was being a mother. She loved her children and was passionate about her family, never missing a sporting event. From soccer games to track meets and even Triathlons, Karen was there to support her kids. She very much enjoyed crafting, especially needlepoint, quilling, and making homemade Christmas decorations. She was an avid Red Sox fan and volunteered alongside her husband as a local Middleton youth soccer registrar. Karen was insightful, humorous, and purposeful and will be greatly missed.

She was the beloved wife of Douglas Howard Mathews, with whom she shared 46 wonderful years of marriage. She was the loving mother to her daughter, Dana Louise Bloom and her husband Dave Bloom of Washington, DC and her son, Brian Douglas Mathews of Rowley, MA. She was the adoring grandmother of Ava Louise Bloom and Liam Pyrtek Bloom. She was the sister of Linda Newhall of Lynnfield, MA, Robert Newhall and his wife Miyuki Hill Newhall of Cupertino, CA and the sister-in-law of Lynda Mathews of Burlington, MA. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral Service will be held in the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Tuesday, July 15 at 12pm. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the funeral home prior to the service from 10am-12pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Karen’s name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023