Karen Ann (Doolin) Fitzpatrick
Click the button below to make a donation in memory of Karen Ann (Doolin) Fitzpatrick
Published in Portsmouth Herald on August 14, 2023
Karen Ann (Doolin) Fitzpatrick of Moultonborough, NH and Newington, NH, formerly of Nashua, NH and Malden, MA. Karen was joyously welcomed into heaven on August 12, 2023, after a courageous and heroic battle with ALS. Despite losing her ability to speak, to eat, to drink, to swallow and numerous other difficulties, she never complained – not even once.
She leaves behind her high school sweetheart and husband of 49 years Richard Fitzpatrick as well as her 5 children and 11 grandchildren (soon to be 12). She was the cherished mother/grandmother of Amy Fitzpatrick of Boston, MA and her children Adelaide and Eloise. Kristi Fitzpatrick of Warner, NH and her children Amelia, William, Max and Harper. Erin Russo (Chris) of Newington, NH and their children Liv, Lia and Bode. Kerri Townsend (Ren) of Eliot, ME and their children Maeve and Tess. Bryan Fitzpatrick (Olivia) of North Providence, RI and their soon to be born baby girl. She is also survived by her three brothers James, Robert and Donald as well as aunts, uncles and cousins too numerous to mention yet all occupied a very special space in Karen’s heart.
In her early years, Karen was a licensed securities trader and later an owner of a house cleaning business. Most importantly though was her work as a loving, caring and nurturing spouse, mother and grandmother. Karen was a brownie leader, a basketball coach, a soccer mom, creator and leader of both after school roller skating and skiing programs. She was an award-winning cook and collector of recipes, an avid reader, great at arts and crafts, and a very accomplished shopper. Karen loved to travel and despite her ALS managed in the last 12 months to travel to Ireland, Maui, Turks and Caicos, Amsterdam and Madrid. She loved holidays. The house was always appropriately decorated for Valentines Day, Easter, July 4th, Halloween, Thanksgiving and her favorite holiday Christmas. Her family was her world and we, as citizens of her world, were happy to be the beneficiary of her selflessness, attention, caring and love.
Karen never liked wakes. So there will be no wake. But the family will host A CELEBRATION OF HER LIFE on Sunday, August 20th from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at Portsmouth Country Club in Greenland, NH. We will begin with spiritual prayers and blessings written especially for Karen, followed by heartfelt remarks from family members. Ample food and drinks will follow. Come dressed casually and stay for as little or as long as you like to celebrate the greatest wife, mother and grandmother ever.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Karen’s name to Compassionate Care ALS (CCALS). https://ccals.org/donate/
Love to all,
The Fitzpatrick Family
