Karen Elizabeth Packish died at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on Nov. 22. She was 63.

Karen was an Island native born on Feb. 27, 1953 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. She was the daughter of Robert Packish and Margaret Getchell, and attended the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. She had to drop out in the 11th grade because she was pregnant with her first child, William Maciel. She then went on to marry her high school sweetheart and have their second child, Sherry Maciel.

After 20 years of marriage, she got divorced and decided she wanted to change and better her life. She went on to get her GED, and then to the Massage Institute of New England. While going to massage school, she worked for the Vineyard Nursing Association doing private duty for the late Tom and Virginia Early. She loved caring for and helping the elderly; she was a nurturer.

Karen loved going for walks on the beach, spending time with her daughter and her two dogs, Bentley and Buckley, and watching movies with her long-term companion of 26 years, Paul W. Schultz.

She is survived by her daughter, Sherry L. Maciel; her son, William F. Maciel; her sister, Roberta Curtis, and her nephew, Stephen Curtis, Jr. She also leaves behind many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Church on Franklin street in Vineyard Haven, followed by a graveside service at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made for the purchase of her memorial headstone.

Everyone who knew her recognized her big heart, her angelic spirit and her great sense of humor. She will be greatly missed.