Obituary of Karen Coax

Karen (Kwiatkowski) Coax, 72, passed away peacefully at home on October 1, 2018. She was predeceased by her husband John T. Coax Jr. in June 1985. Karen was born July 25, 1946 in Worcester Mass. to John and Hedwig (Antkowiak) Kwiatkowski.  She grew up in Worcester Mass, having attended St. Mary’s, K-12 Catholic School. Upon graduation she enrolled at Katherine Gibbs Finishing School in Boston. After graduating with an Associate’s degree in retail, she worked as an assistant buyer for Jordan Marsh Department store in downtown Boston.  During this time, she met John, her future husband and only true love of her life.

After marrying, Karen and John lived in Billerica, Massachusetts, where they welcomed 3 daughters, eventually settling and raising their daughters in Manchester, Ct. In 1985, Karen faced tragedy with the death of her husband, after losing his battle with Colon Cancer. Finding herself a single parent, she dedicated her life to raising her three daughters in a stable and loving environment, returning to the workforce as a customer service representative for Nabisco Brands then Rex Lumber Corporation.  

Concurrently, Karen worked part-time at Shaws Grocery Store, The Christmas Tree Shop and Jo Ann etc., her favorite place for inspiration, ideas and supplies. Throughout her adult life, Karen was a crafter. She created clothes, dolls, bears, baby books, quilts and handbags for her children, nieces, grandchildren and ultimately, members of the public through local retailers and craft shows.

Karen is survived by her daughters Rebecca Coax of Vermont, Rachael Coax of Colorado, Rosalind Coax Hutton, her husband Michael Hutton and their four children, Macy, Harrison, Eleanor and Landon, all of Vermont.  Besides her daughters, she is survived by her two Sisters Elaine Scannell of Worcester, Massachusetts, Diane Gorak and her Husband Edward Gorak of Westborough, Massachusetts along with several nieces, nephews and their children.  She is also survived by her dear friends, Carlene and Bob Eaton of East Hartford, her sister in law Betty Coax Schlott and brother-in law, Daniel W.  Coax of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Known as Babci, Karen will be sadly missed by her four grandchildren, whom she saw often despite the distance.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday October 20^th at St. James Church 896 Main St. Manchester.  Burial to follow at a later date at East Cemetery 220 East Center St, Manchester. The John F. Tierney Funeral Home Manchester has care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.