Visiting Hours:
Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visiting Location:
Lamarre & Son Funeral Home
Celebration of life:
Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lamarre & Son Funeral Home
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Karen Jean Martel (nee Gerow) on May 3, 2026, at the age of 83. Born in Kingston, Ontario, she was the loving daughter of Noble Grant Gerow and Helen Barbara Scott.
She will be greatly missed by her husband of 64 years, John, her children Susan (Patrick), Brad (LeeAnn), and Greg, her grandchildren Daniel (Eunhwan), Kathleen (Brandon), Scott (Rita), Annie, and Frank (Ren), and great-grandchildren Charlotte, Ellis, and Sophie. Predeceased by her sister Maureen (Lloyd) and sister-in-law Mae, she leaves behind her brother Bob (Donna), and nieces and nephews in Alberta, Ontario, and New Brunswick.
The family wishes to thank the staff of The Palace Long Term Care Home in Alexandria where Karen spent her last few months in good care and where her quick wit and bawdy songs brought a smile to everyone she met.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Lamarre & Son Funeral Home, 453 St. Philippe Street, Alfred, ON on May 30, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Please consider a donation to The Alzheimer Society of Cornwall and District.
Please use the Donation Form below to inform the family that a donation was made in the memory of the deceased.
A letter will be given to the family by our staff to indicate that you are making this donation.
You can complete your donation by using the foundation address identified in the death notice or the website of the foundation.
For messages of condolences, please read below.
Offer Condolences
To send a private message that won’t be posted below, please send it by email. You will need to identify the name of the deceased’s family for whom it is intended and the name of the sender using the following address, info@lamarrefh.ca
The family is touched by your condolences and thank you for your expression of sympathy.
Cher John
J,.ai appris aujourd’hui en allant chez Chantal , la même coiffeuse de Karen , que ton épouse est décédée. Mais plus sincères condoléances. Je garde des bons souvenirs du va et vient pour nos exercices à Hawkesbury. Prends soin
Jocelyne Chénier ( Alfred)
¸
I,m wishing john and his family my deepest condelances .Karen was a loyal customer and talked alot about her children,and was always in a good mood.may she rest in peace.
Dear Sue and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. I have fond memories of times shared back in the era of weddings, showers and babies on the way in our close friend group. Karen was always so easy-going and fun to be around. I hope you find joy in remembering her character and the love she shared.
Karen was funny happy and loving she was a wonderful person she will be missed and loved forever
Aunt Karen was so much fun to be around and the happiest person I’ve known. I’ll always remember her smiling with a twinkle in her eye as she told jokes and sang songs. She was a truly bright light who will be greatly missed. Sending you all a big hug and lots of love.
What a fun person my Aunt Karen was. Always quick with a joke or a silly song and always laughing. That is how I choose to remember her. Even in the final times I spoke with her and it wasn’t clear she knew who I was, she still make a quip and laughed. And how my Dad loved her – he would light up every time he spoke with her or gave her one of his big bear hugs. When I came out for a visit years ago she welcomed me as if I was her own child.
Uncle John, Sue, Brad, Greg, my heart goes out to you all. I hope you can find solace in knowing what a long and full live she lived and that she can now rest in peace.
With love,
Lance
Just know we are thinking of you I will always remember your mom telling jokes and then smiling at them!
Hi Uncle John, Sue, Brad and Greg. I was so saddened to hear of Aunt Karen’s passing and for all the pain you’re probably going through now. I’m sorry I can’t be there for you now but I will always cherish my memories of her. She was without fail a joyfull and happy person and always brought that to whom ever she was with. Even as her mental health started to fade she was singing and telling jokes and just generally trying to make everyone happy around her. She will be sorely missed, we need more people like her in our lives.
Sue and Family
It was always a pleasure to have a quick chat with your mom when she was visiting you. Always so pleasant but with a twinkle in her eye. Many years ago we also did a Christmas craft together. It’s hard to lose your mother. She will be missed.
Cher John et famille,
Nous venons vous offrir nos plus sincères condoléances à l’occasion du décès de Karen, une si gentille voisine. Karen vous laisse de beaux souvenirs à se rappeler tous les jours. Vous êtes dans nos prières et pensées en ces moments de tristesse.