Obituary of Karen Maroney

Karen Maroney November 21, 1946 - September 13, 2007 Karen (Coyle) Maroney, age 60, of Vero Beach, Fl, loving wife of John 'Jack' Maroney, was raised up on eagle's wings and placed in the palm of God's hand on Thursday, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, after fighting a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. She left this world on the day she brought her most precious daughter, "Snelly", into this world, September 13. She was born in the Bronx, NY on November 21, 1946, daughter of Patricia (Earlis) Sheppard of Bethel, CT and was predeceased by her Daddy, Walter Sheppard, as well has her biological father, Joseph Coyle. Karen retired as a Social Service Specialist for the Department of Social Services in Carmel, NY in 2002, where she worked for 28 years. She was a member of the VFW, Post 948 Ladies Auxiliary and enjoyed celebrating every Memorial Day with her Dad and family, in honor of Walt's service in WWII. Karen was one of the most unique and special individuals to walk this life, as she had a gift of spreading joy and laughter to all she met. She had a true love of life and lived it to its fullest. She had an infectious laugh and her spirit was unbeatable, her motto's included, 'life is too short', 'it is what it is' and "Dance". She loved being with her family, the serenity of the ocean, surfing the internet and playing mahjong, bingo with her Mom, shopping, flip flops, cows and finding new and interesting restaurants, especially in her search for the most perfect veal cutlet parmagiana. In addition to her mother, who was her best buddy in the world, and husband of 19 years, Jack, she will be sadly missed by her only daughter, Danielle (Brett) Howley and her husband, Jason of Bethel; her grandchildren, Jaidyn and Kylie Howley; who adored their 'Mema', her sister, Debra Geary ("Sissy", her soulmate) and her husband Robert and her nephews Sean and Patrick Geary. She is also survived by Jack's two daughters, Stacey O"Hara and her husband TJ; Jennifer Torres and her husband Frank, along with grandchildren Kaitlyn, Rebecca, Matthew O'Hara and Abigai Torresl. Karen will also be missed by her extended family and friends and her special dog, Shane. Funeral Information A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter Church, Danbury, on Wednesday at 10:30am. Burial in St. Peter Cemetery will follow. The family will receive friends at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury, on Tuesday between the hours of 6:00 and 9:00pm. Donations Information We want to give a special thanks to the doctors, nurses and support staff of Memorial Sloan Kettering who took care of her with the utmost of compassion. Donations in Karen's memory can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering, P.O. Box 27106, NY, NY 10087 in support of breast cancer research.