Help Celebrate the Legacy of a Mother's Unwavering Love

We are raising funds to honor Karen Paquet's life and the profound love she gave to so many. A Mother, A Foster Mom, A Pillar of Love and Strength.

Your support today will help us give her the farewell she deserves. It means everything. Here's why...

It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my foster mother, Karen Francis Paquet, who left this world on November 24, 2024. She was the heart and soul of our family, and now it’s time for us to come together and honor the incredible life she lived, the love she gave, and the legacy she leaves behind.

Karen endured unimaginable loss throughout her life. She lost her first son, Bobby, to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy , a grief that never fully left her. Yet, from that pain came a gift to so many others. She opened her heart and home to children in need, becoming a foster mom to countless kids who had nowhere else to go. She gave love when the world had been unkind. She showed us what it meant to rise above hardship and fill others with compassion, even when she herself was struggling. Karen was not just a mother to her own children; she was a mother to all who needed one.

Her story is one of resilience, kindness, and immeasurable love. She lost her husband, Robert, in 2012, and later her second son, Ricky, and this year, her youngest son, Joey. The grief was profound, but she never let it stop her from giving, from nurturing, and from making sure that the family she created—whether by blood or circumstance—was always surrounded by love.

For me, Karen was more than just a foster mother. She was the one who took me in when I had nowhere else to go. I was 15, scared, alone, and unsure of what would happen to me. But Karen and Bob gave me a home—a real home. I will never forget the day I arrived, when a little girl ran out to greet me with the words, "Our new sister is here!" The despair I had been carrying vanished, replaced with the warmth of a family that would love me no matter my past. Karen gave me a chance when no one else would, and for that, I am forever grateful. She was the one who taught me that no matter how broken we feel, love can still heal.

Karen never sought recognition for her sacrifices. She never made her role as a mother feel like a burden; she made it feel like a gift. Her love was selfless, her strength unwavering, and her kindness endless. She helped me grow through my own generational trauma, gave me the tools to be a better person, and taught me how to love with my whole heart. She was there through every triumph and every failure, always saying, "I love you," and reassuring me that no matter what, I always had a home with her.

Now, as we prepare to say goodbye, I want to give Karen the farewell she deserves. I want to honor her memory with a beautiful celebration of her life—a gathering of family, friends, and all the people whose lives she touched with her unwavering love and support. But, as I’m sure you know, such an event comes with a cost, and I need your help.

I’m reaching out to ask for donations to help cover the expenses of the memorial service. This service will not only honor Karen, but also her beloved husband, Robert, and their sons Bobby, Ricky, and Joey—five members of the Paquet family who are no longer with us. The focus will be on Karen, the mother who gave everything for us, the woman whose love continues to shape who we are.

If Karen ever helped you, touched your life, or made you feel like you had a place to belong, please consider donating to this cause. Every contribution, no matter how small, will help give my mom the beautiful send-off she truly deserves.

Karen Francis Paquet

November 21, 1936 - November 24, 2024

Wife to Robert Oscar Paquet (January 5, 2012)

Mother to sons Bobby, Ricky, and Joey (all passed)

Mother to daughters: Linda, Dagnne, Kirstyn, Bethany, Shari, Amber (all alive)

Karen’s love continues to live on in all of us. She gave everything she had to make sure we were loved and supported. Now, as I continue to serve my community and help others in need, I ask for your support to help me give her the celebration she deserves. She will always be remembered, always be loved, and always be missed.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support during this difficult time.