Karen Anne Bolles Stanton passed away at home on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.

Karen was born February 25, 1952 in Walton, NY, daughter to the late Warren Bolles and Elizabeth "Betty" Bolles. Along with her parents, Karen is predeceased by her partner, Steven Incze, and her brother-in-law, Floyd Howard.

Karen grew up in Walton and along the way built many lifelong, dearly treasured friendships. After graduating in 1970, she completed cosmetology school in Albany, working in a salon there until she embarked on one of her favorite adventures, a life in Cape Cod, MA. She worked as a waitress there, enjoying the ocean life and making years' worth of cherished memories. Later, Karen traveled to Mount Lemon in Arizona, living there briefly before returning to Walton and beginning work with her parents at the family business, Runnells Lumber Company. During this time, she married and raised her two children. While her children were young, Karen became a teacher at the Walton Nursery School, a job she loved and at which she was truly gifted. She continued her work with children and those with disabilities in her positions at Head Start, Broome Developmental, and Delaware Opportunities, from which she recently retired.

Karen was happiest surrounded by her friends and her children and grandchildren, of which she was so immensely proud. She found joy in animals and felt an especial devotion to her rescue dogs, like her beloved Maggie and Quinn. Karen also loved music and sang for many years in the choir of the First Congregational Church of Walton, where she was a lifelong member. She was always up for a game of cards or a road trip adventure, and she spent many happy hours with her dogs and friends on the Delaware River. She prized her beautiful garden, tended with her green thumb, and cherished family rituals like Christmas cutout cookies and Easter candy hunts.

Karen is survived by her children and their families, Seth Stanton and wife Kristin and their daughters Kaitlyn and Emily of Albany, and Dr. Courtney Stanton and husband John Pettinato of Rahway, NJ; her sister Patti Howard of Sidney and brother David Bolles and wife Deborah of Spofford, NH; niece Lisa Paternoster Tyler of Chalfont, PA; nephews Todd Paternoster of Bainbridge, Nathan Howard of Poughkeepsie, and Kyle Howard of Sidney; and her nine grand-nieces and nephews. She is also survived by many friends whom she cherished deeply. All will miss Karen's laugh, her smile, the enveloping hugs which made them feel at home.

Calling hours for Karen will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, at the First Congregational Church in Walton. The funeral will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 19, at the church, with refreshments immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to the First Congregational Church of Walton, the Heart of the Catskills Humane Society of Delhi, or the American Cancer Society.