On the morning of September 30th, cafeteria staff member and CRLS alumna Karen Williams passed away due to a private medical condition. While getting lunch from either of the two CRLS cafeterias, you may have been lucky enough to encounter Ms. Williams serving food to students and staff and working tirelessly with a smile on her face.

Although Ms. Williams joined the cafeteria staff just last March, she developed strong relationships with members of the community in the few months that she worked at CRLS. “Karen was a sweetheart,” said cafeteria staff member Michele Walsh. “You couldn’t help but feel like you knew her forever. She had a way about her that made you feel at home.”

Cafeteria staff member Renea Fontanez, who felt similarly grateful for her relationship with Ms. Williams, explained that they had developed an instant bond. “We shared so many stories about our families, work, and life in general,” Ms. Fontanez said. “Every morning I would walk in to her and [her] amazing smile saying good morning to me. I can’t express in words how much I miss that.”

Ms. Williams had been battling a medical condition for a while, and on Thursday, September 28th, she left work feeling unwell. Unfortunately, she soon needed serious medical attention, and she passed away that Saturday morning.

Throughout her battle with illness, Ms. Williams continued to dedicate herself to the job that she cherished. “[She came] to work every day with a smile on her face, working with the kids, staff members, and students,” commented Principal Damon Smith. According to Principal Smith, Ms. Williams was always eager to help any student or coworker in need of assistance.

“You know, Karen loved doing what she did,” added Robbie Cataldo, head custodian at CRLS and Ms. Williams’ cousin. Mr. Cataldo went on to explain that Ms. Williams continued to stay positive throughout her situation and always tried to make the best of it. “She wanted to bring a smile on people’s face, no matter how bad of a situation anything could be,” said Mr. Cataldo.

Ms. Williams was a member of the Cambridge Public Schools community for much longer than the few months that she worked here. She attended the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School for all of grade school and first joined the CRLS community twenty years ago as a part of the Class of 2001.

Learning Community R’s Dean of Students, Maria DiClemente, had Ms. Williams as a student at the King School and met her again when Williams joined the cafeteria staff. “When I saw Karen in the cafeteria in her new role, it was really great to catch up with her,” Ms. DiClemente began. “She was very, very excited to be doing something that she loved, which was being a chef, and giving back to her community—because she’s Cambridge.”

Ms. Williams was someone special to many in the Cambridge community. Her kindness, positivity, and dedication to her work will be greatly missed and forever remembered. “She had a contagious smile that could brighten the darkest day…even when her days weren’t so bright,” concluded Ms. Walsh. “My life is definitely richer from knowing her. You will be sorely missed, Karen. Godspeed.”

This piece also appears in our October print edition.