“Best Mom in the World” – Karen sets the bar for kindness in her family

Karen Wade was born in New Haven, Connecticut. Parents, Frances and Charles Bailey, raised her and her younger brother Charlie Jr. to be loving and compassionate. 

From an early age, they were taught the importance of respecting others. They valued hard work and loyalty to friends and family. Karen instilled these qualities in her two children; Lindsay and Rick. 

“She is the best mom in the world,” said Rick. “She puts others’ needs before her own. She is always there for her family, and adores her grandkids.” 

Now a retired administration assistant, Karen spends her time around family as much as possible. She loves to watch her grandkids play basketball and baseball. You often find her on the sidelines cheering on Gibbs, August or Thalia. This is something that Rick says Karen has been doing since he was a kid. 

“I remember her sitting on the bleachers or her folding chair, praying that I’d get a hit in baseball,” said Rick. Karen has always been her son’s biggest fan, and she continues that tradition with her grandkids today. 

Along with her passion for sports, Karen enjoys spending time with loved ones. This includes frequent outings with her lifelong friend, Pat. They can often be found at local East Haven lunch spots, sharing stories and laughing about times gone by. 

Karen is well known for helping others whenever possible. She leads by example, effortlessly demonstrating a kind and generous disposition, asking little to nothing in return. 

One of Rick’s favorite childhood memories is of a mom who wouldn’t let a little thunder and lightning get in the way of her son completing his job. 

“We would get some pretty bad storms,” remembers Rick. “Mom wouldn’t make me ride my bike in the rain. She also wouldn’t let me skip out on doing my job. So she would load me and the papers up in the car, and together we would drive my route. Then we would go home, and she would get ready and go to work.”

It has been said, “Life doesn’t come with a manual; it comes with a mom.” – Unknown

A mother sets you on your path in life. Rick and Lindsay are some of the lucky ones. Their mom chose a path of knowing right from wrong. A path that appreciates competition, hard work, and love of family. 

On this Mother’s Day, Rick wants his mom to know how loved she is. “You support your family in every way possible. You show all of us how to treat others. You set the bar for kindness in our family. We love you.”