Karen Adele Carter, 78, of Newport, passed away on November 2nd, 2023, peacefully in her sleep at the Jack Bryne Center in Lebanon following a lengthy battle with 3 chronic illnesses.

Karen was born on June 9th, 1945, in Windsor, VT to Chalon and Emma (Shambo) Blish. Most of her adulthood was spent living in Claremont with her Husband, Jim.

Karen married Jim W. Carter on December 31st, 1965, at her Aunt Dode's house in Plainfield, NH. They were married for 30 years before the passing of her husband (1995). From that union, 3 children were born, Kellie Rae, Erin Marie, and 'little' Jim.

After the passing of Jim, Karen learned of the world of computers. She loved playing games online and meeting and chatting with people. Upon this, Karen met a friend from Kentucky, Darla. To everyone's shock, Karen moved to Bowling Green Kentucky, where she had adventures for 12 years. Her passion there was working at Flea Land, where Darla and she would cook up funnel cakes, fried Oreo's, candy bars, and spin cotton candy. She also joined a woman's bowling league there and enjoyed spending her Thursday nights with friends.

Karen eventually came back home to be with family in 2013, where she ended living in Newport at the Meadow St. senior apartments and met some wonderful new friends. In Newport, she joined the senior center and would call Bingo once a week for a bit, played cribbage and did puzzles at the apartment complex. She would still make 'too much' food and would pass out and feed anyone who wanted some.

Karen was a member of the Women of the Moose and was Sr. Regent from 1998/1999. She enjoyed spending her time with the ladies from the Claremont Moose, and all the local activities and charities they were involved in.

Karen was very proud of achieving her high school diploma. She worked hard over 3 years of night school, and with this achievement, she gained her diploma in 1985, at the same time as her oldest Daughter Kellie graduated from high school, and her youngest daughter, Erin, from 8th grade.

Karen was predeceased by her parents, husband, infant son, her brother Kenneth, and just recently her former sister-in-law, Helen Gaddis.

She is survived by her daughters, Kellie Simoneau, son-in-law Ralph Simoneau, Erin Norris, son-in-law Jeremy Norris, brother David Blish, and sister-in-law Donna Blish. Brother-in-law and sister-in-law Richard (Dickie) and Patricia Carter. Grandchildren, Mason, Madison, and Corbin. Great-grandchildren, Meredith, Levi, Hattie, and Rita-Lynn. Her special nieces and nephews, Eric and Jenn Carter, Melinda and David Carpenter, Rebecca Blish, Tori Bussiere, and Michael Blish. Her best friend, 'sister', from childhood, Diane Bloch and her husband, Jim. Special thanks to them both from coming to see her recently from Virginia. Their support meant to the world to Karen throughout the years.

Visiting hours will be held Saturday, November 11th at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont from 10 to 11 with a service at 11AM.  A graveside service will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.  There will be a potluck luncheon after the service, which will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Karens name to the Jack Bryne Center in Lebanon, NH.