Karen was born in New York City on December 11, 1943. As an adolescent Karen was a beauty queen. Karen received her bachelors and masters degrees in speech and theater from the City University of New York. She had also received a second Masters degree from the University of Southern Maine in adult education. Karen was a certified yoga instructor, licensed massage therapist and calligrapher. She graduated from the prestigious Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy in New York. Karen had a private practice in message therapy for 40 years. Karen was married to Dr. Jerry Sapan, a clinical psychologist. They rescued many cats and dogs over the years. Karen was devoted to animal rights and animal rescue. She was a published author of articles on message therapy and smoking cessation. She loved to write and many of her letters to the editor were published in local newspapers. Karen had beauty, brains, compassion and generosity. At Karen's request there will be no services and entombment will be in the mausoleum at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco. Karen ask that donations in her memory be made to any of the following  charities the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook, Maine; HART in Cumberland, Maine; Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanub, Utah; ASPCA New York, NY or the Humane Society of the US. Arrangements are by Stetson's Funeral Home 12 Federal St. Brunswick