Karen Suzanne Shields

Karen was born in Woodbury, NJ and lived in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area for over 30 years. She graduated from West Deptford High School and the University of Delaware where she earned a dual Bachelor’s in Communications and Theater. She went on to complete a Master’s in Counseling/LCSW from The College of NJ and a second Master’s in English from Southeastern Louisiana University.

She recently retired from a very successful career in higher education. Her career started initially as an administrator working with LaSalle University in Philadelphia and then moved to New Orleans to work at Loyola. Karen later became an English Professor at the University of New Orleans, Southeastern Louisiana University, and Southern New Hampshire University.

With an innate talent and passion for music, she loved the theater as an actor, pianist, director, and producer. She was very active with the Slidell Little Theater, recently directing "Steel Magnolias". And she previously toured nationally in a one woman play portraying Charlotte Cushman. Karen was an active member of the Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell. In her spare time, she enjoyed writing, photography, and she loved the Philadelphia Mummers Parade and visiting Long Beach Island in NJ.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents Sam and Sue (Hale) Shields. She is survived by her loving partner of 20 years Karen Maceira, her three cousins Jennifer (Hale) Dulebohn, John Hale, and Melissa (Hale) Muhlbaier and their children, and extended family and friends.

A funeral service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Slidell on February 21st at 11:00AM; private burial will be held at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society.