Karen M. Johnson

BARRE – Karen M. Johnson, 59, of Summer Street, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 15, 2016, at home after a long illness surrounded by her loving family.
Karen was born in Montpelier on June 26, 1957, she was the daughter of Harold and Marion “Hickory” (Olgiati) Jacobs.
She attended Spaulding High School. In 1981, Karen married Mark Johnson of Bradford, they later divorced in 1991.
Karen was employed by Simply Subs, Hannaford’s Supermarket, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, Lum’s Restaurant and the Cadillac Café.
In her spare time, she loved fishing, especially ice fishing, and camping. Karen spent a lot of time at Hall’s Lake with her daughter Bridget and family in the early 1980’s. She loved shopping with her “big sister”, spending the summers camping with her sisters Sherry and Marty, fishing with her sister Becky or her brother Larry, and loved road trips that went nowhere. Most of all she loved her family and friends; she always looked out for her brothers David and Larry and was given the nickname, “Warden” because she made all the decisions for her “Honey-Bun, Denti” and her brothers. She was also known as “Clyde” to her Johnson family. Karen’s favorite times of the year were Halloween; she enjoyed seeing all the kids in their costumes, and Christmas.
When Karen came into people’s lives, she would always be there because she had a special way about her that will never be forgotten.
Survivors include Glenn “Honey-Bun” of 25 years “Denti” Moore; her 4 sisters, Jacqueline “Jacobs” Jones and her partner, Bruce, of Northfield, Sherry “Jacobs” Brown of Deland, FL, Marty “Jacobs” Croteau and her husband, Kenny, of Deland, FL, and Becky “Jacobs” McMillan of Barre; her 2 brothers, Larry Jacobs of East Montpelier, and David Jacobs and his partner, Cindy, of Graniteville; her daughter Bridget Simmons and her husband, Richie, of Bradford; her 2 grandchildren Cooper and Charlie Simmons, also of Bradford; 13 nieces and nephews, as well as 24 great nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her parents, and her brother, Stanley Jacobs.
May you rest in peace Karen, you gave so much to all of us to last a lifetime. Thank you for being the person you were you have touched so many lives.
Family and friends may call at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre on Friday, September 30, 2016, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A graveside service to honor and celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Waterbury.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 or the Central Vermont Humane Society, PO Box 687, Montpelier, VT 05601.