Karen Lynn Manso, generous heart
Karen Lynn Manso passed away after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer Sunday, March 19, 2023. She was born Nov. 29, 1955, in the U.S. Naval Hospital in New York, N.Y.
Karen moved frequently during her childhood and was fortunate to have spent a few years in Berlin, Germany, which she remembered fondly. After graduating from Garfield High School (Woodbridge, Va.) in 1973 and attending the Washington School for Secretaries, she was employed by U.S. Customs and was deployed to Germany, where she and her then-husband, Bob, lived for several years and had their first son Michael. When Mike was just a toddler, they moved back to the United States and settled in Seaford to be close to her mother, Gloria. Her second son, Tony, was born shortly after moving back. Karen worked for Seaford Police Department for 20 years and was so loved by her coworkers.
Karen is preceded in death by her mother, Gloria Bosses Slater. She is survived by her sons, Michael Jeffrey Manso (Ashley Ann Manso) of Surry, Va., and Anthony Angelo Manso (Megan Marie Manso) of Seaford; as well as her beloved granddaughter, Parker Brooke Manso. She also leaves behind her brother, Mark Van Duser of Essex, N.Y., and Dulana Smith (David Smith) of Jacksonville, Fla.; as well as several cousins and nephews living around the country.
Karen was in a beautiful and fulfilling relationship with Wayne Reed of Smyrna for several years, and he was a loving, compassionate and loyal companion throughout her illness. Karen was an animal lover and will be missed by her two dogs, Finley and Charlee.
Karen had the most generous heart, a beautiful smile, and a great sense of humor. She will be missed by all her family and friends!
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Thursday, March 23, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 528 E. Stein Highway, Seaford. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery in Seaford.
In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Visit Karen’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
