Karen J. (Sheehan) Rix

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Karen J. (Sheehan) Rix, age 79, of Warwick, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2020, at Elderwood of Scallop Shell in Wakefield.

Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Christopher J. Sheehan, Jr. and Ruth S. (Adams) Sheehan, she was a life-long Warwick resident. Karen was employed at Fleet Bank, later Bank of America, for 41 years, retiring 14 years ago. In retirement, she worked in the school lunch program at Wyman School in Warwick. Karen was the oldest of six children growing up on Law Street in Warwick. She was a devoted daughter, loving sister and incredible mother. For her entire family she was the glue that kept everyone together. Karen loved her family, from nieces and nephews to in-laws and friends that became like family. There was no-one, however, she loved more than her three sons, their wives and her grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren were her world and she took pride in everything they did. Karen absolutely loved the beach, going on vacation, coffee ice cream and those that knew her knew she despised cheese. Karen or "Nana" enjoyed having family celebrations and her homemade pies that she made for every holiday were legendary. Nana loved having Sunday morning breakfasts, teaching her grandchildren to play cards and checkers, having a glass of white Zinfandel or a whisky sour and loved watching all of “her kids” compete in sporting events. Her love of Christmas (and filling the downstairs with an incredible amount of gifts for her boys and then carrying on the tradition for her beloved grandchildren) along with her love of her yard and flowers are cherished memories that will never fade. Nana always loved and looked forward to her dinners with “the brothers and sisters.” One of Nana’s best qualities was how friendly and welcoming she was. She would take friends and family members in to stay, and her home and kitchen were always open to all. Karen loved to shop, have her hair done and always looked amazing. Her true passion was her ability to decorate her house and love of all Victorian pieces. She was the ultimate lady with class and dignity and had a heart of gold. Nana was a survivor of several types of cancer and was the ultimate fighter and competitor. Anyone that met her was instantly better for knowing her. She is so loved and will be missed by so many.

She is survived by three sons, Kurt A. Rix (Sharon), Kevin C. Rix (Marybeth Carey), and Kenneth P. Rix (Cynthia), all of Warwick; two sisters, Barbara Bacon and Ann Bouchard, both of Warwick; three brothers, Christopher J. Sheehan, III of Warwick, Kevin M. Sheehan of Narragansett, and Kenneth M. Sheehan of Warwick; and six grandchildren; Kevin Rix Jr., Amanda Mara, Ryan Rix, Kelsey Rix, Brendan Rix and Kenneth Rix, Jr..

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 2, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter Church, 350 Fair Street, Warwick. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. in the Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Spring Green, Warwick. Facial coverings and social distancing will be required. Burial will be private.