Karen S. Lamontagne

COLEBROOK, NH—Mrs. Karen Sue (McNeely) Lamontagne, 61, wife, mother, sister and friend, left us Thursday September 22, 2011, surrounded by her loving family at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Karen was born in St Johnsbury, Vt., to Naidina Hunt McNeely and Warren Jack McNeely on February 21, 1950. She was graduated from Colebrook Academy, Class of 1968, and went on to attend Concord School of Nursing, earning a registered nurse degree. After serving as a compassionate nurse for 22 years, she changed careers and worked as a veterinary technician. She married Benoit Lamontagne in 1989, and husband and wife began a new career as proprietors and managers of Lazerworks Radio Shack in Colebrook until August, 2010. Karen was very active in her church, St Stephens in Colebrook. She was a person of strong faith and served as secretary of the vestry for over 20 years. She loved being with her family and friends at her beloved cottage on Maidstone Lake, Vt. Her favorite past times included gardening, designing and drawing home plans, knitting and listening to music. Karen was a wonderful spirit who was loved and admired for her kindness and gentle nature. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile and for her great courage in her battles with cancer. She leaves her loving husband of 22 years, Benoit “Beno” Lamontagne of Colebrook, NH; her daughter Maria and husband Charles of Barrington, NH; her son Matthew and wife Kathleen and their three sons, Michael, Blaine and Christian of Bensalem, Penn.; a brother, Bill McNeely of Maidstone Lake, Vt.; and half-sister Micki Mulkern of Tucson, Ariz. She will also be missed by her large extended family. She is preceded in death by her father; her mother on the same date in 2007; and a step-sister, Beverly Lowry. There will be no public calling hours. An Episcopal memorial funeral Mass will be said on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at 11 a.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Colebrook. The Rev. Marlyn Neary will be the celebrant. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Lamontagne may be made to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o the 1st Colebrook Bank, 132 Main St., Colebrook, NH 03576; or to the UCVH, 181 Corliss Lane, Colebrook, NH 03576; or to the Tillotson Center for the Arts, c/o Rick Tillotson, Munn Road, Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Karen S. Lamontagne

February 21, 1950 - September 22, 2011