Karen S Lihatsh

Karen Lihatsh, 69, passed from this world and into the arms of her Savior Jesus, on Friday morning, June 30, 2023 at the Hospice House in Concord, NH. Her family and members of her church family were present to love and support her as she embraced her Heavenly Father. Because of the excellent nursing care given to her she was at ease physically and spiritually as she made her final transition. Karen courageously battled her 3-month illness with the help of committed loved ones who advocated and cared for her.

Karen was born on December 8, 1953 in Claremont, NH, the daughter of Rosealma and Moses Lihatsh who predeceased her. She leaves behind her sister Beverley and husband Sid Pelletier of East Hartford, CT, and her sister Lin Lihatsh with whom she resided for the last 21 years, mostly recently in Concord, NH. She also leaves behind her loving godmother Julie Perkins of Claremont, NH, many beloved cousins and their families, as well as her faithful friends.

Karen graduated from Stevens High School in Claremont, NH. Class of 1971. She graduated from Cheshire School of Nursing’s 3-year Program in 1980, and then completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, cum laude, from Central Connecticut State University, in 2006. As a registered nurse, Karen was an advocate for her patients and her co-workers. Since she had a positive attitude toward life and her fellow human beings, she looked for the good in others and was quick to support and acknowledge their positive attributes. As a nurse for 40 years, she worked in both small community hospitals as well as urban medical centers, in New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Florida. Her nursing career path included: nursing leadership; management; teaching; with specialties in medical/surgical, emergency, and psychiatric nursing. Karen most enjoyed and excelled in her career as a diabetic educator in Englewood, Florida and in a community outreach clinic (Partners in Health) in Newport, New Hampshire.

Karen had a wide variety of interest and hobbies. She loved entertaining, traveling, sewing and knitting, landscape gardening, and painting on wood to name just a few. She known to be an excellent “handy-women” with her large collection of tools: ready to fix, mend or build most anything she put her mind to.

Throughout Karen’s life she always enjoyed the time she spent relaxing in the company of her friends and family. She dearly loved her many cats she cared for over the years and considered each one her furry baby.

Even when she was gravely ill, she was joyful over the visits from those who loved her.  She continued to the very end to display her great sense of humor and typical concern for others. When people called her or visited her during her illness, they would ask her how she was doing. Her response was “good, and how are you doing?” Karen was committed to her friends (old and new) and also to her family with tactful honesty, empathy and prayerful counsel. Karen’s legacy was all about commitment to family and friends as well as service to others.

Although Karen loved being a sister, friend, nurse and caregiver, Karen would say that she loved being a child of God first and foremost. She was so grateful to Him for His saving grace, love, comfort, and guidance in her life during the good times as well as the hard times. She loved well because she knew God loved her foremost.  Karen would often tell herself and others to “Let Go and Let God!” and she practiced this throughout her adult life even to the end.

Karen’s family would like to thank everyone for their faithfulness to serve, love and pray for Karen and her family during the difficult three months. We thank you and may  God bless each of you.

SERVICES: There will be a Celebration of Karen’s Life on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at Faith Community Bible Church at 334 North Village Road, (off NH Route 106N) Loudon, NH. Visitation with family and friends will be from 10:00 AM to 10:45 in the church hall.  Her service will begin at 11:00 AM followed by a luncheon in the church hall.