Karin M. Sugerman, born Rissman, 68, passed away on February 8th, 2026, after a characteristically determined 14 year battle with pancreatic cancer. She died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by family at her home in Westport, CT. A fiercely loving mom, grandmother, wife, friend, volunteer, and cat mom, she will be missed by many.

Anyone who knows Karin has a million stories about her; she was an entirely unique person with many passions and opinions. Her closest family had a “point system” for sharing what we had done over the weekend in response to her reliably favorite question; “what is everyone doing today?” Extra points were gained from favorite Karin activities like outdoor concerts; events at libraries; museums or plays; going on excursions, hikes, or visits to gardens; or preparing or eating delicious food. She truly loved life and was deeply invested in her friends and loved ones enjoying life just as much. 

Karin was born in 1957 in Oak Park, Michigan. She excelled in school and loved gastronomic delights from a young age – one of her favorite foods as a kid was escargot. She had many hobbies as a young person, including horseback riding, bowling (her high score was 149, for which she won a free turkey!), and spending time with her family and many pets. During a summer in college at University of Michigan, she decided to live in Boston where she met her future husband, James, ie Jim. Their first date was an outdoor concert, followed by a meal of smelts. They were married in 1981. 

Karin worked as a respiratory therapist before the birth of her children in 1986 and 1988. Karin then spent time as a devoted full time mom until Nicole and Laura got older, when she found a second calling as a library technician at their high school. She also volunteered as an usher for local theater and as a food runner for food recovery programs. 

In late 2011, Karin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She approached her cancer treatments with vigor and determination. After successfully healing from a full whipple surgery that removed much of her digestive tract, she went through chemo and radiation, all the while doing yoga, pilates, swimming, playing in a doubles tennis club, and faithfully participating in her monthly book club. She was able to participate in the weddings of both her children and the birth of her first grandchild. 

The cancer metastasized to her lungs, but she continued to treat it forcefully. She walked for miles even as it became harder to catch her breath. With Jim, she traveled to Japan, Iceland, Germany, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. She shopped weekly at the farmers market, continued to cook incredible meals for her family, and enrolled in Senior Strong fitness classes at the Y. Her youngest grandchild, Miles, was born last June, and her last plane trip was to visit him soon after his birth. She delighted in her grandchildren until the very end of her life.

Karin is survived by her husband, Jim Sugerman; daughters, Nicole and Laura Sugerman; grandchildren, Lily and Sol Santiago and Miles Sugerman; sister, Linda Krivitsky; brother, Ron Rissman; and mother, Pearl Rissman, and well as beloved pet, Percy Sugerman.  

A celebration of Karin’s life/informal shiva will be held at the home of Jim Sugerman at 1 Silver Brook Road, Westport CT, 06880, on Friday, February 13th from 3-7 PM and Saturday, February 14th from 3-7 PM. People may come and go as is convenient, and are invited to come share memories of Karin. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Karin’s honor to New Pond Farm, Westport Farmers Market, or Person to Person.