AUBURN- Karen Marie (Vayo) Young, 62, of Auburn, formerly of Shrewsbury, died peacefully Thursday July 1, 2010 at UMass Memorial Medical Center with her daughters and sisters by her side. She is survived by her children Kimberlee M. Hodgkinson and her husband Robin of Winchester, CA, David G. Young of Chino, CA, Dana L. Smey and her husband Joseph of Charlotte, NC, and Meaghan R. Young of Charlottesville, VA, three grandchildren Maura and Liam Hodgkinson and Graham Smey, her father Robert H. Vayo of Auburn, MA, her brothers Richard Vayo, of Cincinnati, OH, Stephen H. Vayo of N. Grafton, Robert C. Vayo of Dudley, Gerald A. Vayo of Shrewsbury, her sisters Linda J. Rodger of N. Grafton and Janice E. Goodwin of Grafton, and over thirty nieces and nephews. Karen was predeceased by her daughter Marie E. Young.

She was born in Worcester and was the daughter of Robert H. and the late Dorothy M. (Willard) Vayo. Karen was educated in the Auburn public schools and graduated from Framingham State College with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She later went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Library Media Studies from Bridgewater State College. Karen was a Library Media Specialist in the Central Mass public school system for over ten years and most recently worked for Southeast Elementary School in Leominster, MA.

Karen was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother who most cherished the laughs, hugs and holiday moments with her four children and their growing families. She was also a very supportive and caring daughter to her father Robert and looked forward to her regular Sunday dinners with him. As a fun-loving and well-spirited sister and aunt, “Auntie K” loved “clucking” with the hens and chicks. She was considered a motherly figure to many family members and friends throughout her life. Karen enjoyed crossword puzzles, bridge, quilting, crocheting, and her daytime soaps. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Instructional Technology and Media Services Department of the Shrewsbury Public School System, 100 Maple Ave, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend viewing hours on Monday July 5, 2010 from 4-6 PM in the Britton-Wallace Funeral Home, 91 Central St. Auburn. Her funeral will be held Tuesday July 6, 2010 from the funeral home with a Mass celebrated in North American Martyrs Church, 8 Wyoma Drive Auburn. She will then be laid to rest with her daughter Marie in the Mountain View Cemetery of Shrewsbury.

For Karen’s guestbook and memorial or for directions please visit www.brittonfuneralhomes.com