Karen Ann (Fuess) Dunkerton, 81, of Auburn, passed peacefully on March 27 at her winter getaway for the past 45 years in Port Charlotte, FL. Karen was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, David A. Dunkerton.

Born in Northampton, MA to Donald and Lillian Fuess, Karen moved to Auburn at a young age and lived there most of her life. She graduated from Auburn High School and New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing. As an RN, Karen worked as a private duty nurse for several decades before transitioning to an MMQ nurse at local nursing homes, most recently, Notre Dame in Worcester.

She leaves behind a daughter, Marcia Thompson and her husband James, of New Bern, NC; a son, Lorne Dunkerton and his wife, Barbara, of Charlton; her two beloved and cherished grandchildren, Christian and Lillian; two brothers, Donald and John Fuess, and a sister, Elizabeth Scott; and several nieces and nephews.

Being a snowbird, Karen reluctantly took up golfing while in Florida about 30 years ago and has been hooked ever since. Karen and her husband started a couple’s golf league at Hillcrest Golf Course and played often with her best friends up north, Donna and Larry Murphy and Debbie and Eddie Emond, along with her Florida besties, Maxine and Robin Brown. Karen also enjoyed playing pitch, cribbage, and assembling jig-saw puzzles.

A funeral service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 1089 Stafford St., Rochdale on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM and burial will be at the Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Karen’s name to Notre Dame Health Care, 555 Plantation St., Worcester, MA 01605.