Obituary of Karen Louise Gonyea

On Saturday, September 24, 2022, Karen Louise Gonyea, loving wife, mother, and Nana, passed away at the age of 72 at Albany Medical Center with her family by her side. Karen was born October 28, 1949 to Austin and Helen (Jenny) Preston of Lake Placid, NY. On February 3, 1968, she married the love of her life, Carl (Butch) R. Gonyea. They raised one daughter, Amber Louise. Karen had a passion for gardening; her tomato plants were bigger than her. She also loved to paint—especially the wood carvings her husband cut for her. She enjoyed crocheting and watching her NY Rangers play. Karen loved collecting snowmen and had them placed all over her house. But her favorite passion was being a Nana to Wyatt Jack and taking him on 4-wheeler rides. She enjoyed going with her husband to visit their best friends, Darius and Cindy Collins, every Saturday night. Karen was known as the neighborhood Mom. From before she was a mother herself, she always had a home full of children. She was known for her quick wit, infectious smile, and her kind, loving, and compassionate spirit. Karen is survived by her husband Butch, daughter Amber, and grandson Wyatt Gilligan. She is also survived by her siblings, Austin Preston Jr, Chappy (Patricia), Ralph Preston Sr, Mildred Hodges, Beverly Fisk (Frank), and Cindy Scanlon (Don). Karen was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Elaine Feltt, Arvella Lawrence, and Maryellen Bordeau, as well as her brothers, George Preston, Loren Preston, William Preston, James Preston (Kathy), and Richard Preston. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday September 27th from 6pm to 8pm at M.B. Clark, Inc. Funeral Home in Lake Placid, NY. A funeral service will be held Wednesday September 28th at 11am at M.B. Clark Funeral Home in Lake Placid, NY burial to follow at North Elba Cemetery, followed by a gathering at the American Legion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Lake Placid Volunteer Ambulance Service. Please visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com to share a memory, leave condolences or view the memorial tribute video.