CENTERVILLE, Mass. – Karen Elizabeth Rodman, 83, passed away on Feb. 7th, 2023, after a short illness.
Karen was born to Raymond August Theodore Anderson and Barbara Mae (Baker) in Waterbury, Conn., on Sept. 13th, 1939. Karen was blessed to have grown up in the Honeypot Glen neighborhood of Cheshire, Connecticut, where she made lifelong friends and created a lot of memories. In the early 1960’s, Karen moved to Cape Cod, where she worked as a pharmacy tech for Cape Cod Hospital for 25 years.
Karen was a compassionate and outspoken person unafraid to champion the causes important to her. After a long and drawn-out road to diagnosis with a rare cancer known as Carcinoid Syndrome, she founded and facilitated a local cancer support group known as “Polly’s Place”. Through “Polly’s Place” she came to know, love and be loved by hundreds of people whom she helped through the most difficult of times.
In the early 1990’s her husband was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, a condition on the autism spectrum. She founded a new group called FAAAS (Families of Adults Affected by Asperger’s Syndrome) and worked tirelessly to provide support to the families and friends of those with the syndrome. At the time, support was only available for the parents of children with this disorder. FAAAS responded to calls for help from thousands as far as Sweden and Australia, became internationally recognized by experts, and held several conferences attracting speakers and attendees from around the world. Part of her work can be found on the FAAAS website and in her book, “Asperger’s Syndrome and Adults … Is Anyone Listening?”
With an eye for composition, Karen was also known for her award-winning photographs. Those who regularly read the Cape Cod Times, will recognize her name from letters to the editor of which she was a prolific writer.
Karen is survived by her son, Thomas Rodman, and his family; as well as a daughter, Shaun (Callahan) Linde, and her family. She will also be missed by many cherished friends and neighbors. She was predeceased by her late husband, Edward “Ted” Rodman, Jr.; her father, Raymond Anderson; her mother, Barbara Baker,; and her maternal grandmother, Lulu Ossinger Bean.
A small memorial will be held later in the year at a time and place TBD. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the MSPCA (Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). To leave an online condolence or memory, please visit www.doanebealameshyannis.com.