Obituary
view guestbook | sign guestbook

Karen Marston

Date of Death: October 29, 2021

Date of Birth: October 14, 1948

Biography:

Karen Esther Marston died on October 29 at MidCoast Maine hospital. She died after a brief fight against sepsis. Karen was born on October 14, 1948
to Muriel and Roland Marston in Dunkirk, NY. The family moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where Karen spent most of her childhood. She lived in
many places, including New York City and El Paso, Texas before she moved to Bowdoin, ME thirty-five years ago. Karen owned the Bowdoin Baking Co. Her Red Truck and baked goods were a feature of the Crystal Springs Farmers Market and the Brunswick Winter Market. Her bakery was a place that always had a crime show on the television and where people could pop by to chat. She was a talented baker, but the Bowdoin Baking Co. was also more than a means of expressing her love of the craft of baking; it was also a means for meeting and connecting to people. She loved the people she met through her work. Karen was passionate about politics, which came out of her tender
and fierce love for other people.

Karen was especially a champion of LGBTQ rights, gathering signatures for marriage equality and supporting EqualityMaine. Karen was active in several knitting groups and would regularly knit blankets and hats for people when they had major events or illnesses. These works of art were a tangible form of love. Karen cared deeply for her family of choice that included neighbors, friends, customers, and fellow marketers. She was a rock for people chasing their dreams, and supportive of them through advice and the ever welcome delivery of a box of baked goods. She was brilliant, did her crossword puzzles in ink and was an avid reader. Karen was strong in her convictions and generous with her time and compassion.

She is predeceased by her parents Roland and Muriel Marston, and dogs Millie, Mikey, and Cracker.

She is survived by her husband Michael Rivera, her beloved dog Jambalya, her brother Paul (Elaine) Marston of Tacoma, Washington, her niece Ruth
(Skylar) Marston-Bihl, and her great-nephew Rowan Marston-Bihl of Seattle, Washington. We will be holding a celebration of life in the Spring.

More details will follow.