MOODY – Karen “Hazel” Benson of Moody passed away on Sunday, June 20, 2021 after losing a courageous battle with COVID19. She was 74.

She was born in Concord, N.H. on Dec. 13, 1946, to Charles Paire and Lillian (Larlee) and was raised in Penacook, N.H. During her youth, Karen was an active member of the Girl Scouts. Karen graduated from Penacook High School.

In 1965 Karen met the love of her life, Peter, which led to a 55-year love affair. They were married on Oct. 16, 1965. They settled in Boscawen, N.H. and had two sons, Peter Charles and Jeffrey Royal.

In 1973, Peter’s job with N.H.D.O.T. required a move to Keene, N.H. where they would live for the next 29 years. In 1977, Karen started at Granite Bank (originally Keene Savings Bank) as an installment loan secretary. She rose through the ranks and retired as senior vice president.

Karen was active in the community sitting on the boards of the United Way and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She led a team for the NH Public TV annual phone-a-thon. She also enjoyed performing as clown, “Benny”, for the Keene Lions Club.

On April 30, 2002, Karen and Peter retired to Wells, and later to Moody in 2005.

Their love for travel took them on adventures to Venice, Italy, where they danced in Saint Marks Square, to Baja, Calif., to Mexico to observe and pet the gray whales, and to the central highlands of Mexico to observe the millions of monarch butterflies that migrate and winter there. Karen was an accomplished seamstress and especially loved to quilt, creating beautiful, personalized quilts for family members and friends. She also made and donated quilts to charitable and veteran’s groups. Karen sewed and donated masks to the Wells Police Department during the pandemic.

Karen loved solving crossword and Sudoku puzzles and never missed an episode of Jeopardy. Later in life she became an avid golfer. Best known for her kind-heartedness and quick smile, she had the wonderful ability to make instant friends and make people feel comfortable.

Most of all Karen loved her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a wonderful wife to Peter, who called her the best thing that ever happened to him.

Karen was predeceased by her grandparents John and Hazel Larlee; and her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Peter; son Peter and wife Michelle, son Jeffrey and wife Cynthia; grandchildren Kelsie Stuart and husband Collin, Kendall, Courtney, Ty, Gage, Peter and fiancé Emma, Hayden, Cole and Steven; great-grandchildren Lincoln Stuart and Adley Benson; sister, Sandra Brodeur and husband Ed; and several nieces and nephews.

Honoring Karen’s wishes, a private memorial service will be held at a later date.

A complete obituary can be found at http://www.bibberfuneral.com. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Karen’s Book of Memories Page at http://www.bibberfuneral.com

Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 111 Chapel Road Wells, ME 04090.

In lieu of flowers we ask that you consider a donation in her name to your local Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization.