of Hudson, New Hampshire, age 73, died peacefully Monday, April 21, 2025, with her family by her side. She was born October 15, 1951, in Exeter, New Hampshire, the daughter of Ruth Berry (Erb) and Stuart Kemp Whipple.
Ruth raised Karen to be independent and adventurous during her childhood in Providence, Rhode Island, where she attended Beneficent Church and graduated from the Lincoln School. She also spent a year as an exchange student in France. She earned her undergraduate degree from Cornell University, and two master's degrees in Education from the University of New Hampshire and Duke University. Karen taught special education and first grade in North Carolina and Southern New Hampshire. As a teacher, Girl Scout troop leader, and mother she loved working with and helping children. Karen found the outdoors inspiring and fulfilling, with that joy first kindled by teen summers at Camp Kehonka. She loved hiking, canoeing, and sailing, and shared that passion with her family and friends. Karen enjoyed creative writing, including writing songs with her sister-in-law, Jane. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua. Karen had dogs throughout her life, often more than one, and loved to both tell and hear stories about each dog’s unique personality. Karen was an incredibly kind person and lived her life with enthusiasm, joy, and empathy.
Karen married Paul Lemaire on October 15, 2011, and he survives. Her children and grandchildren brought great joy to her life. She is survived by the three children she and her first husband raised in a house they designed and built on land next to her aunt and uncle’s (Margaret and Les Erb’s) apple farm: Jacob Fitzpatrick of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Deborah Fitzpatrick of Missoula, Montana, and Dan (Natalie) Fitzpatrick of Ann Arbor; half-sisters, Shannon (Jeff) Owen of Wentworth, NH, and Andrea (Mark) Wheatly of Nashua, NH; grandchildren, Finn, Orin, and Aella; nieces, Hannah and Meghan; and nephew, Gaje. She was preceded in death by her cousin, David Erb; son, Benjamin Fitzpatrick; her first husband and father of her children, Tom Fitzpatrick; half-sister, Meredith Lee Whipple; and cousins Mary Basner and Susan Kilby.
A celebration of life is being planned for summer in the White Mountains that Karen loved, but details are pending at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Arrangements were entrusted to Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, Michigan.
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