Karen McMahon

Karen (Hoff) McMahon
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Karen (Hoff) McMahon, 73, of Concord, NH on June 2, 2025. She led a life marked by warmth, kindness, positivity, and service to others.
Karen was born on January 4, 1952, in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in New York. She was the daughter of the late Ronald Hoff and Carolyn (Putsch) Hoff. A proud graduate of the Northfield Mount Hermon School in Massachusetts, she maintained close links with the Class of 1969 throughout her life. Karen served for many years as co-chair of class reunion committees and found joy in reconnecting with her friends every year. She always considered being able to attend Northfield one of the greatest gifts of her life.
Karen was also a proud graduate of Tufts University (Class of 1973) and earned her BA (magna cum laude) in English and child development. She completed her education at Boston College, earning her MSW in Social Work. She was also awarded a Massachusetts Psychiatric Social Work Fellowship. Karen met her former husband and father of her three sons, Thomas McMahon, at Tufts. They ultimately settled in Danvers, MA. Both spent many hours on the sidelines of soccer, basketball, and baseball games, while also encouraging their sons' various interests including reading, music, and travel.

Karen wanted a career focused on serving others; she became a clinical social worker and therapist. She dedicated her work to helping children and families facing life challenges, while providing psychotherapy and other support for more than 45 years through career stops in hospitals, schools, community mental health centers, and private practice in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Karen spent 11 years as an elementary school counselor in Newburyport, MA. During her tenure in Newburyport, she was honored with the Gold Star Award for her work on behalf of students receiving special education services.
After raising her three sons in Danvers, MA, Karen moved to New Hampshire and settled in Concord. Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord was her church home for many years; she loved the caring, supportive community she found there and served in many volunteer roles including on the Church's leadership committees.
Karen pursued a lifelong passion for writing and enjoyed sharing her pieces and the writing process with others. She was a lover of dogs and looked forward to taking walks with the labs she owned over the years. Karen also loved reading any good book, knitting, sewing, cooking, and baking. She especially enjoyed sharing these hobbies with her four grandchildren; there is no doubt that her apple pie and Bishop's Bread recipes will live on in future generations.
Karen is survived by her three sons, Neal (Meghann), Jeff (Suzanne), and Andy (Cassandra); granddaughters Molly, Finnley, and Leona; grandson Russell; her sister, Linda Hoff Irvin and her husband, Jim Irvin; nephew Sam (Hannah) Hagensick; her uncle, Robert W. Putsch III; many cousins; along with many good friends in Concord and beyond.
A private service will be held in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Northfield Mount Hermon School or the Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord, NH.