Karen Whitney

CHARLTON – Karen J. Whitney, 80, of Freeman Road, died Thursday, September 22, 2022, at UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus in Worcester.  She was predeceased by her husband, Darrell R. Whitney who died in 1983; and her soulmate, Henry “Hank” E. Stevens who died in 2004.  She is survived by her daughter, Diane J. Gaboury and her husband Ronald of Charlton; five grandchildren, Darrell Stevens and his wife Candice, Derek Stevens, Tiffany Bates and her husband Daniel, Ryan Gaboury, and Dylan Gaboury; and seven great-grandchildren, Layne Bates, Levi Bates, Lillian Bates, Tate Gaboury, Tanner Gaboury, Wyatt Stevens, and Graham Stevens.  She was predeceased by her parents, George and Hazel Marsh; her daughter, Denise “Denny” L. Stevens who died in 2011; and her son-in-law, Fred “Ted” Stevens who died in 2022.  She was born in Swanzey, New Hampshire, and lived most of her life there before moving to Charlton in 1987.

Ms. Whitney loved horse pulling and was a lifetime member of the Eastern Draft Horse Association and the Connecticut Draft Horse Association.  She had a lifelong love for horses and took pride in teaching her family how to care for them.  Her family meant everything to her.  She lovingly cared for her family and extended family throughout her life.

A private graveside service will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in East Swanzey, New Hampshire.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eastern Draft Horse Association, 738 East Side River Rd. Milan, NH 03588.  Paradis-Givner Funeral Home in Oxford is directing the arrangements.