Joan Michael Karakas

Joan Michael Karakas, 87, of Narragansett, passed away on Monday, December 19, 2022, surrounded by friends. Joan was born in Duluth, MN in 1935 and was raised in Eveleth, MN, and Providence, RI. She graduated from Hope High School in 1953 and attended Emerson College. She had a distinguished career at Amica Insurance Company in Providence, RI where she served as Purchasing Officer before retiring in 1990 after thirty years of service. She was a long-time resident of Narragansett, RI, and a devoted daughter to her parents, Mike and Carole Karakas. Joan had a particular passion for the welfare of animals and the joy they could provide to others. As a result, she was very active in related local and regional organizations. She served as President and Vice President of the Animal Rescue League of Southern RI for several years. She also served as a Trustee of the AHIMSA Foundation in Boston, MA, which provides support to charities that support animals and environmentally related causes. She served as a client advocate for NEADS (assistance service dogs) and assisted in pet therapy at a local nursing home and at the South Kingston Adult Day Care Center. Joan also volunteered with teaching English as a second language to Russian immigrants. She loved to travel and was an entertaining storyteller about memories of childhood in northern Minnesota. In her later years, she would often be seen walking her dog along the sea wall in Narragansett and made many friendships with other like-minded dog lovers.

She is survived by her sister, Nancy, her nephew David, and nieces Kimberly, Dana, and Barbara, as well as seven grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Her parents, Michael and Carol Karakas predeceased her. She leaves behind many good friends and neighbors who shared her interests and enjoyed her companionship over many years.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory may be made to the South County Visiting Nurses Association 100 Kenyon Avenue, Wakefield, RI 02879, link: South County Health or the Contented Critters Animal Sanctuary P.O. Box 444, Forbes, MN 55738, link: https://www.contentedcrittersmn.org/donate.

A Mass will be celebrated for Joan on Saturday, January 28, at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas More Church, 53 Rockland Street, Narragansett, RI. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery.