Obituary of Karen Anne Bowen

Karen Anne (Boguen) Bowen of Belfast, Maine, passed away on May 26, 2022, at Massachusetts General Hospital during surgery to donate her kidney to her son. Karen was born in Belfast, Maine to Sandra and Linwood Boguen on October 2, 1960. She graduated from Belfast Area High School in 1978. She then attended Beal College for one year prior to beginning her 20-year career at Waldo County General Hospital, working in the offices of Doctors Keller and Strassberg, and the Medical Records Department. She began the next phase of her career at MBNA, later Bank of America, where she held various roles within the company including as a department manager and most recently as Assistant Vice President within the Executive Response team of the Client Care Organization, cumulatively, for over 20 years. As a child, she participated in band where she played the oboe and clarinet, was a member of the swim team, and was a girl scout. However, as an adult, her favorite past times included spending time with her pets, husband, daughter, and son, going on walks, gardening, and reading a book in the occasional quiet moment. At Bank of America, she was co-chair of the My Environment Committee, whose mission is to drive positive environmental change by helping employees act as better environmental stewards at work, at home, and in the community. Most of all, Karen was a very involved parent, never missing a football game, concert, track meet, or any milestone in her children’s lives, no matter how big or small. As a person, Karen was willing to sacrifice anything for her children, husband, and family. She checked in on her mother every morning and spent innumerable hours with her father before his passing. Karen was a loving wife to Bradley for 32 (together for 42) years, building two houses together and raising their children devotedly. Since her passing, her family has had the fortune of hearing many stories about the positive value and impact she has had on those she knew in the community. She will be sincerely and greatly missed by many. Karen is survived by her husband, Bradley Bowen, daughter, Sarah (Bowen) Macy and husband Thomas, son, Daniel Bowen and significant other Mikayla Artkop, mother, Sandra Boguen, siblings, Brenda Coggins, Stephen Boguen, Susan (Boguen) Drinkwater and husband Gary, Barry Boguen and wife Cindy, Laurie (Boguen) Smith and husband Darrell, mother in law, Charlotte Bowen, siblings-in-law, Gail (Bowen) Berry and husband David, Michael Bowen and wife Wendy, Annette Bowen and husband Craig Underhill, in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other beloved relatives. She is predeceased by her father, Linwood Boguen, father-in-law, Norman Bowen, and sister-in-law, Jan Boguen. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all who have offered their support during this difficult time. Karen died to improve her son’s health and to protect her daughters and she will always be remembered and honored for this sacrifice, her final moments fittingly demonstrating what has amounted to a lifetime of endless dedication and love for her children and family. A public visitation will be held from 2-4 pm at Riposta Funeral Home 182 Waldo Ave, Belfast, Maine 04915 on Sunday, June 12, 2022. Those who wish may make donations in her memory to the Belfast Garden Club PO Box 502 Belfast, Me. 04915 or belfastgardenclub.org Private interment will be held. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com