Karen Judy Shade, 75, of Westland, passed away March 3, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.

Beloved wife of Philip Shade.

Devoted mother of Jill (Robert) O'Neal, Michelle (Edward) Boettger, Jennifer Faes and the late Terris (Chris) Gasparovich.

Loving grandmother of Justin (Kaitlyn) Gasparovich, Rachel Gasparovich, Bradley Gasparovich, Katherine O'Neal, Bridget O'Neal, Lauren Boettger, Andrew Boettger, Nicholas Boettger, Brittany Faes and Dominic Faes.

Loving great-grandmother of Henry and Meredith Gasparovich.

Beloved sister of Janet McConkey, Phillip Serwick and Marcia Costa.

Cherished daughter of the late Joseph and Helen Serwick.

Karen was born in Dearborn, Michigan to Joseph and Helen Serwick on February 12, 1945.  She was raised in Detroit and went to high school at Chadsey High School.  She held many jobs over the years including being a social worker.  Many of her clients became lifelong friends.  She later worked as an Outreach Coordinator at Grace Hospital in Detroit where she met her husband, Philip.  They married in 1996.

Karen was very proud of her daughters and grandchildren, and she was always there to cheer on their accomplishments. Karen put great importance in family and friends.  She was passionate about getting them together, especially during the holidays.  Over the years, she spent many summers on her parents' farm in Hope, Michigan with her daughters and other family members and friends.  Later, she and Phil bought a mountain house in Burnsville, North Carolina where they enjoyed hosting family and friends.  She especially enjoyed having her grandchildren there in the summers.

Karen was a strong and determined person, but at the same time she was always kind and gentle.  Karen had the biggest heart, a true heart of gold.  She opened her heart and home to many people over the years.  Not only did she have compassion for people, she also had a love for animals.  If she saw a stray on the street, she would pick it up, and it would have a home forever with her.  She was truly a wonderful person.

Karen enjoyed crocheting, antiquing, traveling, decorating and crafting.  She enjoyed talking on the phone and was great at keeping in touch with both family and friends. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and for several years was the "Queen Mother" of her chapter.  Karen was very strong in her Catholic faith, and she shared this strong faith with her daughters and grandchildren.

Karen touched the lives of so many, and she will be deeply missed by those who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Karen's name to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburgh Road, Livonia, MI 48154.

Memorial gathering Friday, 3-8 p.m. at the Dearborn Chapel of the Howe-Peterson Funeral Home. Rosary Friday, 7:00 p.m. Funeral Liturgy 10:00 a.m., March 14, 2020 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 34530 Michigan Ave. , Wayne , MI 48184.  Gathering at church Saturday 9:30 a.m.