Family, Friends Join Hearts To Help After Devoted Mom's Sudden Passing

GREENPORT, NY — The North Fork community is coming together to help a family rocked by the sudden death of a beloved mother and friend.

A GoFundMe, "Help Cover Karen Edeen's Cremation and Legal Fees," was created by Richard Risoli of East Marion.

"I am trying to raise funds for my cousin's son after her untimely death," he said.

The following, Risoli wrote, "is directly from the heart of her surviving son."

"Karen Edeen was an immensely kind woman, born in Greenport in 1962, roaming the country to sell antiques, following in her father's hobby as her obsession and profession," her son wrote. "She proved herself to be a malleable and patient woman, changing her behaviors for the better when pressed and making herself personable for anyone she met, quickly picking up the energy they put down, and being a friend to anyone who needed one."

Sadly, he said, she passed away suddenly on August 24, in the ambulance en route to the hospital.

"She left behind a dependent son, Ben (AKA Duvi) with little money, as he worked for her, who now has to pick up the pieces left behind and subsist off of what she taught him," he said. "She did not leave enough money to cover funeral expenses, so, in an effort to pay respect to her, it has been decided that we take donations from family, friends and anyone else who would like to help in order to pay for her cremation, legal fees, associated expenses and to support Duvi through this difficult time."

The children she left behind, family, and friends are rallying to help Ben through the darkest of hours, and to celebrate her memory.

"She really was a kind, gentle soul," said Joan Dinizio.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.