My beautiful picture
On Sunday, April 26, Karen Lee Fallarme of Dryden, loving wife and mother of four children passed away peacefully at the age of 77.
Karen was born on December 2, 1942 in Wayne, MI to Lloyd and Jean Valleau. After high school, Karen joined the convent and became Sister Karen Ann, where she spent 10 years serving as a nun with Immaculate Heart of Mary. During this time, she met George, when both were teaching at St. Boniface school and playing guitar together for children’s mass. They fell in love, Karen left the convent, and they were married June 10, 1972.
In the summer of 1972, Karen and George traveled across the United States along route 66, camping in a little red tent, living a life of adventure and loving life. They camped in 17 states and traveled 8,000 miles from early June to end of August. Eventually, they settled in Dryden to raise their four children.
Karen was a graduate of Marygrove college with a degree in Education, and continued to serve as an elementary school teacher at St. Joseph’s Catholic school in Lake Orion, MI from 1980-2000.
In retirement, Karen pursued her interests and hobbies in cooking, baking, and became an expert at whatever craftwork she set her mind upon. She was especially skilled at needlework, and painting Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs). Above all, Karen loved her family and friends and worked hard to ensure all holidays, birthdays and other special events could be celebrated together with joy.
Beloved wife, mother and friend, Karen is survived by her husband of 48 years, George. Her children, Renee (Paul) Bachran, Tony (Marla), Jon (Laura), Ben (Sandy). Brothers, Alan (Sue) and Mike (Marshia), as well as sisters, Cheryl (Mark) and Sue (Will); and Aunt Jan Reaume. Grandchildren, Lily, Chelsea, Jack, Matthew, Brandon, Gavin, Maya, Wyatt, Andrew, and Olivia; as well as cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
She was greeted in heaven by her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A celebration of life will be planned at a future date when we can all be together again. Cremation was entrusted to Muir Brothers Funeral Home-Almont.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research hospital or McLaren Hospice and Home Care Foundation.
