Karen Elizabeth Johnson died June 6, 2026, at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA, from heart failure after emergency gallbladder removal. She was 83 years old.

She is survived by many loving family members, relatives, and countless friends whose lives she deeply touched. Her immediate family includes: brother Tim Johnson (Keith Hockenbury), sons Seth Mellor, Tucker Evans (Kerry Evans), and Ferris Evans (Sandy Leavitt); step-daughters Megan Evans (Peter Kent), Amanda Hughes (Trey/Charles Hughes III); and grandchildren Cynthia Mellor (Brandon Wade), Seth Mellor Jr, Samuel Evans, Jonathan Evans, Zachary Evans, Annecy Evans, Callan Evans, Dae Kent, Noah Kent, Hazel Hughes, and Rye Hughes.

Born May 7, 1943, in Durham, North Carolina, Karen was raised in a Quaker family in Raleigh, NC; St. Petersburg, FL; Woodstown, NJ; Mount Vernon, NY; and finally Moorestown, NJ. Karen attended George School, a Quaker boarding high school in Bucks County, PA, and graduated in 1961.

Karen lived and worked in Peterborough, NH, for more than 50 years. Her jobs and volunteer activities there were too numerous to list; suffice it to say that she made many deep personal connections during that time. She converted to the Baháʼí faith in December 1971 and was elected to the first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of Peterborough, where she served for many years.

In July of 2022, she moved to Boxborough, MA to be closer to her son Tucker and his family. While in Boxborough, she became an active member of the community by serving on the Council on Aging and volunteering many of her summer Saturdays at the FreeBee Market.

Karen took great joy in her close relationships with her grandchildren and vital connections in her community. She was always ready with a listening ear and loving heart, ready to serve where and when she could. Known for asking thought-provoking questions, she had a gift for starting meaningful conversations wherever she went. Her love of life, curiosity, and nimble intellect made her a valuable resource and a dear friend for so many.

A celebration of life will be held from 12:00-2:30 pm Saturday, August 15 at the Community Center Hall of the Boxborough UCC, 723 Massachusetts Avenue, Boxborough, MA. Please RSVP here to assist with planning. The form also includes options to request a Zoom link and share memories.

Arrangements under the care of Badger Funeral Home, a Life Celebration Home, 347 King St., Littleton, MA. 978-486-3709, www.badgerfuneral.com.