Karen (Chapman) Roessner was born on Nov 14, 1940 to parents Inez (Erickson) and Harold Chapman in Providence, RI.  She died at the St Albans Rehabilitation Center on Monday, Sept 14, 2026, where she was recovering from surgery.  She was a graduate of Classical High School and Brown University.  She enjoyed a 40 year career in medical research.  Her final 32 years were in the Department of Medicine at the University of Vermont. During her tenure at UVM, she co-authored several publications for research journals. She was proud to support her partner, Eugene Button, in taking care of family, visiting family, and working with the sheep on the farm in Colchester. Karen’s interests included knitting, reading, gardening and traveling. She served her community by assisting at the polls, delivering meals on wheels, and donating produce to the Colchester Food Pantry.  Karen is survived by her partner of over 50 years, Eugene Button and his family.  She is pre-deceased by her parents, her sister, Joan Kloth, and brother-in-law, Paul; first cousins, Bette and Esther, and several nieces and nephews.  She sadly leaves her very dear friends Linda Sullivan and Inge Tessier.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 1:00 to 3:30, on the 10th of October, in the Parish House, at the United Church of Colchester, 900 Main Street, Colchester.

In her honor, donations may be made to the ASPCA (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)  VERMONT @ PO BOX 96929, Washington, DC 20077-7127 or the Humane Society of the United States @ PO Box 96930, Washington DC 20077-7729.