Karen Maureen (Crowley) Avalle

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, friend, and sister, Karen M. Avalle, 80, of Becket on December 08, 2022.  Karen was surrounded by her entire family as she made her journey home.

Karen was born in Milbridge, Maine, daughter of Horace Mann Crowley and Lillian Holland Crowley.  She lived in Becket while raising her family.  Karen moved to Lee where she met her life partner and husband, Mario Buffoni (1984-2017).  After Mario’s death, Karen moved back to the family homestead.

Karen is predeceased by her son David H. R. Avalle (1964-1965), her husband Mario Buffoni of Lee, (1929-2017), and her first husband, father of her children, Frank Avalle. (1941-2013). Karen is survived by her five children and their families.  Son, Frank Avalle, Jr of Hindsdale, his wife Melissa Spagnuolo Avalle, grandson, Randall Avalle, and his mother Dawn Avalle; Daughter, Lisa Avalle Conner of Pittsfield, her partner Don Schmich,  granddaughters Kimberly and Daniel VanDeusen of Pittsfield and Amy and Matthew Goddard of Dalton, and grandson Richard Conner of Pittsfield, and their father James Conner of Washington;  Son, Lawrence Avalle of Becket, and his partner, Vickie Morris; Daughter, Trisha Garrity of Pittsfield, and husband William Garrity, granddaughter, Lillian Garrity of Maine,  grandsons Matthew and William Garrity of Pittsfield; Daughter, Andrea Wadsworth of Lee, and her husband Kevin Wadsworth,  grandson, Airen Wadsworth and granddaughter Tori Wadsworth of Lee. 

Karen is survived by her three siblings, Brian and Linda Crowley, Deborah Crowley Dill, and MaryAnn and Glenn Richardson and four great grandchildren, Connor, Hannah, Aiden, and Reagen.

Karen was a brilliant mind and a warm, loving soul.  She graduated from Dalton High School and attended Berkshire Community College.  Karen was a Massachusetts Accredited Assessors, a licensed real estate broker, and spent her career in public service. She volunteered for the Becket Ambulance, EMT, and Police.  She was the Town Clerk and an assessor for the Town of Becket. Karen worked for the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Bureau of Local Assessment.  In 1994,  Karen became the Principal Assessor for the Town of Great Barrington.  In 1996, the Town of Great Barrington, under Karen’s guidance, was the first in the State to set their town tax rate.  She retired from Great Barrington in 2009 to care for her husband Mario and her father Horace.

Once retired, Karen began working for the Town of Washington as the Principal Assessor and the Town of Lee as a member of their Board of Assessors.  She was known throughout the Commonwealth for her expertise in assessing. She was a member of the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), Massassachusetts Association of Assessing Officers & Berkshire County Assessors Association where she coordinated and participated in training initiatives, and would help other towns in MA and NY.  After the death of her husband Mario, Karen worked a short time for Home Instead.  Her desire to help others was immeasurable.

Karen was a Justice of the Peace for over 31 years.  She performed  hundreds of weddings and memorialized each one.  It was important to her couples have a keepsake whether it be a cake, a bouquet of flowers, a boutonnière, or a special ceremony.  Karen married Frank and Melissa, Lisa and Jim, Trisha and Bill, Andrea and Kevin, Kimberly and Daniel, and Amy and Matthew.

Karen enjoyed being with her family and attending her grandchildren/great-grandchildren’s events.  She loved spending time with her dogs Benny and Cierra, and her cat Little Guy.  Karen found joy watching the horses, goats, and wild turkeys at the family farm in Becket.  She loved spreading love and joy to those she met.  She would often give fresh flowers to those she cared about, and even to those she did not know.  Her random acts of kindness are echoed throughout our lives and those who have met her.

Karen’s family would like to extend a special Thank you to Lexi Bridagan and Danielle Kinne who cared for their Mom and to Lori Moon, who surrounded the family with love, guidance, and strength as their beloved Mother left this world.  

Funeral Services for Karen M. Avalle will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2022, 10AM at St. Mary’s Church in Lee. Visiting Hours will be held Wednesday evening, 4 to 6PM at the Kelly Funeral Home in Lee. A lunch reception at Greenock Country Club, where family and friends are encouraged to share memories of Karen, will follow the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter may be made in care of the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238.

If you would like to leave a message of condolence or share pictures or stories please visit our website at www.kellyfuneralhome.net