Karen Lewis

1946 - 2022

Noank - Karen Kilpatrick Lewis passed away Jan. 5, 2022, at the age of 75. Karen was born July 7, 1946, to Willis Buxton Kilpatrick and Marian Mason Kilpatrick.

She grew up in Bolton, graduated from Manchester High School ('64) and went on to graduate from the Hartford Hospital School of Nursing in ('67) and Eastern Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in social work in ('82). She also studied at the University of Connecticut, working towards a master's degree in social work. She worked at Manchester Memorial Hospital in the emergency room and other departments for many years. After she left the hospital, she held many positions over the years, usually focusing on health and helping people. Ron and Karen ended up moving to southeastern Connecticut fulltime in 1993. There she became a volunteer for Hospice Care of Southeast Connecticut, where she was able to put her compassion, love of people,and medical knowledge to work once more.

Karen was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She loved reading, cooking and spending time at the shore. She also was a great lover of animals and an avid sports fan, attending every sporting event of her children and grandchildren over the years that she could, as well as being the most loyal Boston Red Sox fan ever.

Karen will be dearly missed by her husband of 54 years, Ronald G. Lewis; two daughters, Ann Bergendahl (Woody) of Noank and Sara Thomas (Scott) of Vero Beach, Fla.; her four grandchildren, Ella Bergendahl, Ali Thomas, Sam Thomas and Charlie Bergendahl, who affectionately called her "LaLa;" and sister Carol Shroyer of Northport, Fla. She also leaves behind Dixie, her feisty Tibetan terrier rescue.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and/or an animal charity of the donor's choice. A celebration of her life will be held on a later date at the convenience of the family.