Karen Ann Spies

Karen Ann Spies In loving memory of our dear wife, mother, nana, sister and aunt, Karen Ann Spies. She was loved by all who met her. She embraced life no matter what came her way. Her life will live on in her daughter and granddaughter, who will honor her the rest of their days. She married the love of her life, Carl Spies, and was happily married for 46 years. Faced with tragic loss early in life, through her strength and love, a commitment to family was created that has lasted a lifetime, and will live on forever. Karen was the life of the party, always ready with a smile that lit up everyone's hearts and warmed their souls. True to her spirit, she educated herself, achieving both her bachelors and master's degree in social work. While studying for her masters, she met her soulmate, Carl. They married in 1969 and welcomed their daughter Lauren in 1974, who is the light of their lives. She has been a member of the Hilton Head community for 21 years. She treasured her island life and the serenity it provided. Karen is survived by her husband Carl, daughter Lauren Vaccaro of Hilton Head, a granddaughter Mary Elizabeth Vaccaro of Hilton Head. Also survived by her two loving sisters, Marilyn Schlegel of Avon Lake, OH and Fran Dixon of Virginia Beach, VA, numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother John (Jackie) and sister, Noreen. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church. Reception to follow at The Gallery in Hilton Head Plantation. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital. The Island Funeral Home and Crematory. theislandfuneralhome.com