WESTFIELD: Karen Ann (Lafreniere) Raymond, of Westfield, MA, passed away Christmas Day at her home with her family by her side. Karen was born on July 10, 1945, in Westfield to the late Arthur and Blanche Lafreniere. Karen lived life to the fullest and her strength truly came from within. She was a wonderful, loving and active mother, wife and community member. To her husband, she was the best thing that ever happened to him. To her children, she was Mom, always there to care and reassure. To those many friends and acquaintances who knew her, Karen was kind, caring, outgoing, funny, 
energetic and inspirational.
Karen is survived by her adoring husband, Mark Raymond, and her four children and their spouses and partners, Denis St. Jean (Natalie), Jeff St. Jean (Heather), Michelle Truax all of Westfield, MA, and Matthew Raymond (Sarah Garcia) of West Springfield, MA, and 10 loving grandchildren. She also is survived by a brother, Daniel Lafreniere of Westfield, MA, and many nieces and nephews.
Karen made the world around her a better place, and she inspired so many; her memory will live on as a blessing for everyone who knew her. She attended St. Mary’s High School in Westfield and spent more than 30 successful years working in the electronics/computer industry and was a purchasing agent/specialist for 20 years at Digital Equipment Corp. After leaving Digital Equipment, Karen worked for eight years at Karl Storz Endoscopy, a medical instruments manufacturer in Auburn, MA. She also was co-owner with her husband of American Ice Company of Springfield, MA.
Karen’s overwhelming passion was with gardening and decorating her property for holidays. She enjoyed travel, international and domestic, with her husband and beach time with her family, particularly with grandchildren. She simply loved the people she interacted with through the years. Her gatherings with close friends semi-annually were notable for the warmth and happiness surrounding each event. Karen also participated in several organizations and social clubs over the years.
Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing Friday, December 31, 2021, beginning at 8:30 a.m., and service, beginning at 10:30, at the Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Flowers are welcome at the funeral home. Donations in Karen’s honor can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. www.firtionadams.com
