It is with deep and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Karen A. Deresta (Brunelle), 57, of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, who died on October 25, 2026. Our hearts are broken and laden with grief. We find ourselves with so much love for Karen and, suddenly and tragically, no longer have her here to receive it. Yet, we remain grateful for the years of memories, laughter, and unconditional love we shared with her, all of which will remain with us forever.

Karen was a Rhode Island woman through and through. Born in Providence, she was raised across the state by her late mother, Nancy Gracien (Compton), alongside her sister, Deborah “Debbie” Albanese (Brunelle). Her childhood took her through the towns of Woonsocket, Lincoln, and Smithfield, and she carried her Rhode Island roots with her throughout her life.

Karen earned an associate degree from Johnson & Wales University and spent more than 20 years working primarily as a phlebotomist at East Side Clinical Laboratory. She was a hard worker who took pride in what she did, but it was the people in her life who mattered most.

Karen’s love language was quality time. If you were loved by Karen, you knew it through the time she made for you. It might have been dinner and a drink with close friends, getting her hair done alongside her sister with a necessary pit stop for Diet Cokes, or one of the many meaningful conversations she shared with her sons. Whether it was a quick phone call, a weekend hangout, or a heartfelt conversation at a holiday gathering, Karen made the people she loved feel important simply by being there with them. For Karen, time spent together was never just time; it was how she made sure the people in her life knew they mattered.

Bright, enthusiastic, outgoing, adventurous, confident, and, by all accounts, stubborn, Karen had a personality that was entirely her own. She never wanted anyone to worry about her. Ask her how she was doing, and you could count on hearing that she was “goooood,” with just the right amount of extra o’s to make sure you knew it. She had a way of reassuring the people around her, even when life was not always easy.

Karen found happiness in life’s simple pleasures: a Diet Coke, staying connected with friends, the satisfaction of a hard day’s work, and a fresh manicure. She loved the beach, a fitting passion for a woman who was truly an Ocean State native. Whether sitting by the water with friends, walking along the beach with her dog, or making a quick stop just to breathe in the ocean air, Karen found something special in being near the sea. Sometimes, all she needed was a moment by the water.

Nothing made Karen prouder than her twin sons, Travis Caldarone and Craig Caldarone. She was a devoted supporter of veterans, a commitment made especially meaningful by Craig’s service as a Marine. She also held a deep appreciation for healthcare workers, a community close to her heart through the work of her son and son-in-law, both advanced practice nurses. Karen loved her family fiercely, and she considered her son-in-law, Christopher Caldarone, one of her own. Together, Travis, Craig, and Christopher were her three men, affectionately known as “her men.” Her pride in them and the love she shared with all three were unmistakable.

Karen’s capacity for love extended to animals, who held an especially cherished place in her heart. She believed in the unconditional love animals give so freely and wanted to embody that same love in her own life. Her beloved companions included her late dogs Bubba, Sam, Fury, and Gizmo, as well as Sadie and her cat, Sinatra, affectionately known as “Big S.” She also took great joy in her fur grandbabies, Ellie and Henry. Her love for animals was a reflection of the tenderness and devotion she carried into so many parts of her life.

Karen leaves behind her twin sons, Travis Caldarone and Craig Caldarone; her son-in-law, Christopher Caldarone; her sister, Deborah Albanese; her niece, Julie Albanese; her beloved dog, Sadie; her cherished cat, Sinatra; and the many dear friends whose lives she touched and who loved her deeply.

Karen’s passing leaves a space that cannot be filled. Those who knew and loved her will carry forward the memories, the laughter, the conversations, the time spent together, and the love she gave so freely.

We are left with so much love for Karen, and while we can no longer give it to her in the ways we once did, we can carry it forward in the way she lived: by showing up for one another, making time for the people we love, finding joy in life’s simplest moments, and offering the same unconditional love she so deeply admired in her animals. Though Karen is no longer here to receive our love, she will forever be a part of the love we share with one another.

Funeral service Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 6:00 pm in the Fagan Quinn Funeral Home, 825 Boston Neck Rd., North Kingstown UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE HILL SKEFFINGTON FUNERAL HOME OF EAST GREENWICH. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers donation’s in Karen’s memory may be made to the Rhode Island SPCA https://web.charityengine.net/donateRISPCA 

or to Operation Stand Down RI https://osdri.org 

Visit www.hillskeffington.com  for online condolences