SARASOTA, FL - Karen Elizabeth Mathews, 80, a loving mother and dedicated educator, passed away after a brief illness on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philadelphia, PA, on February 12, 1945, the daughter of Dr. Hugh Mathews, Jr. and Marjorie (Stiles) Mathews. Karen was always quick to identify herself as "from away," having moved to Gardiner, Maine, as an infant. After graduating high school from St. Joseph's Academy in Portland in 1963 and the University of Maine in 1969, she spent thirty years inspiring young minds as a high school history teacher. Her dedication to education was unwavering. She believed in the potential of every child, and her commitment to excellence, along with her engaging style, made her an (occasionally feared) favorite among her students. After retiring, Karen relocated to Sarasota, Florida from Gardiner, continuing to share her love for learning with all the communities she joined. Karen was an avid reader and a life-long learner, hoping to engage any-and-all in conversations about education, theology, literature, history, and politics. She enjoyed journaling, collecting books, drawing and painting, and knitting. She also loved the Patriots, the Red Sox, and every Olympic sport ever. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Hugh and Marjorie, whose values and love for life she always carried with her, and by her brother, Robert Mathews, whose kindness and generosity were a blessing to her throughout her life. Karen is survived by her son, William Hayes, of Augusta, Maine; her son, Matthew (Beth Williams) Hayes, and her grandchildren, Violet and Cordelia, of Palo Alto, California; her brother, Hugh (Pam) Mathews, of Sarasota, Florida; her sister-in-law, Maureen Mathews, of Farmingdale, Maine; her brother, Paul (Sharon) Mathews, of Newcastle, Maine; many cherished nieces and nephews; and her much-loved, one-eyed cat, Rosie. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 4:00 – 6:00pm at the Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave, Gardiner. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, School Street, Gardiner, burial will follow at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Gardiner. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Karen's memory to Educate Maine @ https://www.educatemaine.org/donate Please honor Karen's life by sharing your memories and uploading photos to her memorial page at www.staplesfuneralhome.com. Your stories will serve as a comfort to those mourning and a tribute to a truly remarkable woman. Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, Maine.