Karen Monteiro Lopes, 46, of West Wareham, died at home on Sunday, May 15, 2011 after a brave long battle with cancer. She was the wife of Randy Lopes of Falmouth.

Born in Wareham, she was the daughter of Glenn & Catherine "Kakie" Monteiro of Onset.

A graduate of Wareham High School, Karen received her high honors degree in Biochemistry from Mt. Holyoke College and was about to receive her Masters of Biotechnology from Harvard University.

Karen was a Biochemist/Scientist for Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research in Cambridge. The results of her research were credited in multiple biochemistry publications.

She enjoyed dancing, traveling, spending time with family, close friends, and loved her dogs.

Survivors include her husband; her parents; her son, Antonio Monteiro of W Wareham; her sisters, Lisa Debonise of Wareham and Gina Monteiro of Falmouth; her brother, Glenn Monteiro Jr. of Stoughton; and her nieces and nephew, Lauren Monteiro Fernandes, Brittany Monteiro, and Jonathan Monteiro.

Her funeral was held May 20 from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial followed at St. Patrick's Church. Interment will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Wareham.