COURTESY
SAXTONS RIVER, Vt. — Karen Leslie Whitman, age 72, died peacefully on April 27, 2019 in Tallahassee, Florida.
Karen was born in Bangor, Maine on Aug. 20, 1946 to Dorothy Racine and Marshall Wesley Doxsee. She was the second child of four siblings: Marshall Jr. (Butch, Aloha, Oregon); Adrian (Anchorage, Alaska), and Martin Arthur (Marty, Anchorage, Alaska). She is survived by Butch and Marty.
Karen grew up in New England, mainly in Massachusetts and Vermont. She married Greg Whitman, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, in 1977, and their daughter, Samantha Avril (Sam), was born in 1979. Karen was also a step-mother to two wonderful sons, Marc (wife Laura) and Lars (wife Susan). Marc and Lars’ families include four grandchildren: Carter and Isaac, and Malcolm and Maura, whom Karen loved greatly. Karen also loved traveling around New England with Greg, especially to watch Sam play in many hockey and soccer games throughout high school and college. Karen cooked for the teams and cheered them on, loudly.
Karen was in management with Avon for 30 years and enjoyed traveling throughout New England to visit customers. It was at Avon that she met her dear friend Carol (Bob). Later in her life, Karen founded Vermont Signature Sauces with her business partner and dear friend, Nancy, and loved traveling to numerous craft and food shows together. She loved quilting and crafted many beautiful quilts for her grandchildren, family and friends. She also loved to cook, play games, and drink dirty martinis. She loved the Christmas holiday and loved giving gifts and her time to others.
She is survived by many extended family members and friends, particularly through her church in Vermont. Karen had a very strong faith in Jesus Christ and was a born-again Christian. She gave of herself to many charities and good causes, including CareNet and Lighthouse for Life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to CareNet.org or lighthouseforlife.org.
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