Karen Jean Dowling

FRANKLIN, TN / BOYLSTON, MA
Mrs. Karen Jean (Seltzer) Dowling, age 67, of Franklin, TN, formerly of Boylston, MA, passed away Monday, June 8, 2015. She was a beloved wife, mother, and recent grandmother.


She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Fred Dowling of Franklin, TN; sons Erik (Andrea) Dowling of Shanghai, China and Ryan (Helena) Dowling, M.D. of Jersey City, NJ; daughter, Lauren Dowling (John) McLanahan, M.D. of Boston, MA; brother, Mark Seltzer of Centerville, MA; and granddaughter, Denley McLanahan.


Karen was born in Hartford, CT and moved to Boston to attend Chandler School for Women. She loved the field of medicine and was a medical secretary at the New England Medical Center where she also met her husband. Karen was passionate about her family and children, summers at Cape Cod, dancing to a good beat, everything Elvis, and her beloved goldendoodle, Taylor.


Visiting hours will be held from 3-6PM on Sunday, June 14 at Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 1 West Boylston Street, West Boylston, MA. The funeral will be held Monday, June 15 from the funeral home with a Mass of the Resurrection at 10AM at St. Mary of the Hills Church, 630 Cross Street, Boylston, MA. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Boylston, MA.

The family would like to thank Karen's caregiver, Cindy Johnson, for the several years of compassionate care she provided Karen. Also thank you to the staff at Always Best Care, and Alive Hospice and for the volunteers at the Sunny Day Club at the Brentwood Methodist Church.


Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4825 Trousdale Dr., Suite 220, Nashville, TN 37220.