Obituary: Karen Johnson, 1943-2018 

South Burlington

Karen Lee Cunningham Johnson, 74, made her final transition peacefully with family and friends present on May 30, 2018. Karen was the daughter of Raymond and Thelma Cunningham and the sister of Mira Lynn Glen and her husband, Donald, of Delray Beach, Fla. She died of complications after suffering from a rare neurological disease, corticobasal degeneration, since 2010.

Karen graduated from Bates College and went on to receive a master's degree in guidance and psychological services from Springfield College. She then went on to work for SUNY Oswego and SUNY Plattsburgh, where she met and married James Johnson. After divorcing, she moved to South Burlington in 1991, where she worked as assistant director of Spectrum Youth & Family Services and received a second master's degree from Saint Michael's College in administration and management in 1994. Karen retired from Spectrum in 2007, having stated at retirement that her work at Spectrum was the most rewarding and best part of her career. Following Karen's retirement, she volunteered at the United Way, Fletcher Allen ICU, Flynn Theater, and Lyric Theater on costumes.

Many thanks go to Team Karen, a group of about 13 friends and neighbors who provided support and caregiving during the past year. Thanks also go to the wonderful caregivers who did virtually everything to keep Karen safe and in her own home.

A party in celebration of Karen's life will be held at a later date. Those wishing to honor her memory may make a donation to Spectrum Youth & Family Services or the KidSafe Collaborative.