Karen Hawes

Karen Hawes, 58, of Amherst, NH died June 24th at Greenbriar Terrace Health Care in Nashua.Karen was born Dec. 17, 1949 in Vermillion, SD, to the late Russell and Ila Fredrickson. The family eventually settled in Barkhamsted (Pleasant Valley), Connecticut.

She is survived by husband, Dana Hawes, daughters Cynthia Henderson of Hubbardston, MA, and Dawn Bennett of Ashburnham, MA, and sister Susan Fredrickson of Pleasant Valley, CT. Members of the immediate family also include two grandchildren Emily and Andrew Bennett (Dawn's children), Cynthia's husband William Henderson, and Dana's sister Rebecca Hawes of Stratham, NH. Karen was educated at Northwest Regional #7, in Winsted, CT, and attended Central Connecticut University. In the years shortly after she and Dana married in February, 1977, she resumed her college education by attending evening classes for several years, earning her Bachelor's degree at Assumption College in Worcester, MA in 1987 (Cum Laude), followed by her MBA degree in December, 1996 from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Professionally, Karen was an active member of the National Association of Purchasing Management (NAPM) where she earned (in 1990) their prestigious professional certification - Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.). Concurrent with her C.P.M. efforts, Karen also became a very active volunteer leader in NAPM, initially at the local (Worcester, MA) and New England district levels, and eventually she served for 3 years as a Director on the NAPM National Board of Directors from 1993 through 1995.

Since July, 1999 Karen has been employed with FLIR Systems of No. Billerica, MA where she has performed various functions ranging from Purchasing Manager, Sr. Manager of Strategic Planning & Procurement, and Corporate Team Leader of FLIR's recent implementation of SAP Business Software.

Outside of her working environment, Karen had a passionate love of sewing, including machine embroidery, and quilting. She crafted numerous, beautifully designed quilts for most family members and some friends.

Another of Karen's main passions was being a proud, loving grandmother to her two grandchildren Andrew ("Drew") and Emily ("Em"). An opportunity to visit her "kids" has always been a very special occasion and treat.

The family is planning a "Celebration of Karen's Life" service on Saturday, June 28th at 11 AM at the Davis Funeral Home at 1 Lock Street, in Nashua, NH. There will be no calling hours, traditional funeral, or burial ceremony. Following the service there will be a reception at the Summerfield of Amherst Condominium community clubhouse, located on Route 122 at the Amherst/Hollis town line. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Karen's name either to The Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Foundation (www.cjdfoundation.org) at PO Box 5312, Akron, OH 44334, or to the Lupus Foundation of America (www.lupus.org), PO Box 631047, Baltimore, MD 21263-1047. The DAVIS FUNERAL HOME in Nashua is in charge of arrangements.

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