Karen L. (McCarthy) West, of Lynn, formerly of Peabody, died at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital on Jan. 12, 2016 at the age of 64. Karen was born in Lawrence, raised in Andover and was a graduate of Andover High School. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell and her master's degree from Salem State University. Karen resided in Peabody for 21 years and the past 10 years in Lynn. Karen worked as a Social Worker for Lowell General Hospital for 8 years and Melrose Wakefield Hospital for 20 years. She was an avid dog lover and enjoyed spending her summers at Hampton Beach, NH. Karen enjoyed traveling to the Grand Canyon, Portugal, Romania and Ireland. She was the loving mother of William S. West & his wife Kathleen of Danvers, Thomas H. West & his wife Laurie of PA and Nathaniel J. West & his spouse Sinath of NH. Cherished grandmother of Timothy, Brianna, Ethan, Kylie, Evelina and Brynn. Caring sister of Denise McCarthy, June Blake, both of NH, Kevin McCarthy & his wife Jennifer of Lawrence and Brian McCarthy & his wife Cathy of Haverhill. Visitation will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 W. Foster St., Melrose on Tuesday, Jan. 19th from 5-8PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, Jan 20th in St. Roberts Bellarmine, Church, 198 Haggetts Pond Rd., Andover, MA 01810 at 11AM. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Karen's name to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West 6th Flr., Brookline, , Boston, MA 02445