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CARLSON, KAREN LEE, 48
(by Week of Sept. 24, 2008 - September 24, 2008)
CARLSON, KAREN LEE, 48, passed from this world to the next on September 10, after a brief, unexpected illness. Karen was born Sept. 17, 1959, in Wichita, Kan., the daughter of Charles and Florence (Gratton) Eells and traveled the world as an Air Force brat. After graduating from high school, she made stops in Texas and Philadelphia before returning to her family roots in Vermont. She worked for the State of Vermont, first for the Department of Employment and Training and most recently in the Department of Education. Karen's passion was her family. A very caring and loving woman, Karen was always there for those of us lucky enough to be loved by her, in our joys and in our sorrows, asking only to be loved by us. She was and is. Karen enjoyed a walk through the forest, biking down a dusty road or hiking to our favorite hilltop to look out over the world or lay in the grass to gaze up in wonder at the stars. Ever-curious, she devoured knowledge of the world-past, present and future. She dabbled in needlepoint and did puzzles in her quiet moments, and played a mean game of backgammon. She was extra proud of our garden. Karen is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Carlson of St. Johnsbury; her mom and Grammy Leona Gratton, of Randolph; brothers David Eells and Bruce Eells of Plattsburg; her father of Albany, N.Y.; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and her partner, Andy Lemieux of Barre. She was predeceased by her son, David.
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