Obituary of Karen A. Economy

Karen A. Economy Hermon – Karen A. Economy, 58, beloved mother, grandmother, and devoted wife of Richard P. Economy, died Nov. 23, 2015 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born Aug. 12, 1957 in Everett, Mass, the daughter of Patrick H. and Anna M. (Connolly) Brangwynne. Karen graduated from Boston College in 1979, with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. After graduation, she met her much-loved husband, Richard, and was married August 29, 1981; she and Richard were married for 34 years. While raising her first daughter, Erin, she went back to school to earn a Master’s in Business from Husson College, and graduated as valedictorian, all while Richard was at sea as a marine engineer. Her career included working as a registered nurse at EMMC, several years as a stay at home mother, and most recently she enjoyed time as a medical administrative assistant at Covey Physical Therapy. She took great pride in raising her 3 children and enjoyed volunteering at their school as the librarian at Hermon Elementary. Although living with metastatic breast cancer, Karen continued to live her life in a positive way, inspiring everyone who knew and met her. Karen was always kind and thoughtful to those whom she encountered. She was very passionate about organizations supporting breast cancer, and in 2014, she was the New Balance Survivor of the Year at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Bangor. Upon Richards’s retirement, they both enjoyed weekend excursions, especially to Ogunquit, and traveling, such as cruising in Alaska and Bermuda, and visiting Puerto Rico. In addition to her mother, Anna Brangwynne of Bangor, she is survived by her three cherished children, Erin Hatch and her husband, Scott of Bangor, Lauren Economy of Bangor, and Jacob Economy of Old Town; three brothers, Kevin Brangwynne and his wife, Linda of Alpine, CA, Keith Brangwynne and his wife, Diana of Holden, Thomas Brangwynne and his wife, Linda of Bangor, and Mary Gilmore and her husband, Bill of Dighton, MA; also several nieces, nephews and cousins whom she held close to her heart. This year, she was predeceased by her father Patrick Brangwynne, and her twin grandsons, Mason Christopher and Marshall Carter Hatch. Family and friends may visit 2 – 5 PM, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015 at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor. Those attending are asked to wear pink for breast cancer awareness and support. Private burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor on a separate occasion. Those who wish to remember Karen in a special way, and honoring her last request to her husband, to fulfill her dream of having living grandchildren, may make gifts in her memory to: www.filltheirarms.com under “Featured Families” look for “Scott & Erin” to donate, or checks can be mailed to their fundraising sponsor, Sarah Hurlbert, 20 Grant Lane, Harrington, ME 04643. Condolences to the Economy Family may also be offered at kileyandfoley.com.