Karen Lillian DeLeon, 56, of Fitzwilliam, N.H., died July 22 of cancer at her home with family by her side. Karen was born in Bath, April 5, 1954, the daughter of Theodore B. Dow and Marilyn (Oliver) Dow.
Karen grew up in Wiscasset until the late 60s when she moved to California with her mother. Karen returned to Maine in 1988. Unable to find work in her profession, Karen and her two children moved to Keene, N.H. where she was hired at Cheshire Medical Center as Director of General Services. Karen was a dedicated employee for 20 years.
Karen was a Grammy to five beautiful grandchildren that meant the world to her.
Karen loved New Hampshire but, her soul was in Maine.
Karen also had a great love for her Labrador retrievers of which she had many. The last being Mason, a yellow lab who kept her company through much of her illness and passed a few months before Karen.
Karen was predeceased by her mother, father and son, Frank J. Panek Jr., who passed away July 28, 2003 of cancer.
Karen leaves behind a daughter, Kristina Panek and grandson, Dillon F. Drugg, both of Fitzwilliam, N.H.; daughter-in-law, Beth Truman and husband Joe Truman and grandchildren, Taylor Panek, Sophie Truman and Christopher Truman, all of Keene, N.H.; stepmother, Phyllis K. Dow of Damariscotta; sister, Peggy Lewis and husband Richard Lewis; nephews, Stephen and Christopher Lewis of Walpole; sister, Debbie Smith and husband Quentin Smith of Tennessee; and dear friend, Brice Labelle of Walpole, N.H.
There was a private service at Mountain View Cemetery in Troy, N.H. where she was placed to rest beside her beloved son overlooking the mountains.
