SEARSMONT — Karen J. Barrett, age 77, of Searsmont, passed away on December 28, 2024, surrounded by her "boys" in Belfast, Maine.

Karen was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on April 22, 1947, the daughter of Harold and Eileen Bleakley.

Karen caught the "travel bug" early, both recreationally and professionally. She began her career at 19 years old as an intern and worked her way around the globe. She was employed by the Thomas Cook agency in Chicago. Her chosen path took her to many different countries around the world, as well 49 or the 50 states.

In July 1977, she realized that she hated Chicago and the corporate world, so she, her best friend, her son Scot and dog Bruiser, all piled into her Plymouth Duster and headed for New England in hope of starting a new life. They stopped at many places along the way, but nothing seemed quite right until they came down Route 1 and stopped at the stop sign in Camden by the Stop and Go. That is when it hit them, this is our new home. Karen purchased a home in Camden and began working as a bartender, life was good. Karen quickly realized that she would need a roommate to help with expenses. It just so happened that a young man, named Ken, was looking for a room to rent. He passed the entrance exam and was awarded the room. Well, one thing led to another and they were together right up until the very end, forty seven and a half years later.

As luck would have it, the travel bug kicked in again, and Karen was hired to manage Travel Inc. in Camden. A few years later Karen was approached by a lovely lady from Belfast who was interested in opening an agency in that town and asked Karen if she would be interested in helping her achieve that goal. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Karen agreed, and Belfast Travel Service was born. As time went by, the owner decided to sell the agency and Karen was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of owning her own business.

In her later years she and Ken (affectionately known to her as "Bear") had a home built in Searsmont where she would pursue her love of gardening, growing magnificent StarGazer lilies, catch up on her reading and especially loved her walks with her beloved dog, Murphy.

Karen is survived by her life partner, Ken Lawton of Searsmont; her son Scot, his wife Erika and their son Maxwell, all of Portland, her stepson Christopher Lawton, his wife Sarah and their children, Finn, Carver and Bode, all of Rockport; her sisters Christine Berryhill of Spring Hill, Florida and Kathy Ullyatt of Parker, Colorado, as well as several nephews and cousins.

There will be a private burial this summer for the family.