Karen Herbert Obituary

Karen Mary (Nowak) Herbert, 67, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene after a lengthy but courageous battle with cancer. Karen was born on August 20, 1957, in Keene to Ethel M. Nowak-Bergeron (Ellis) and Edward P. Nowak. She was educated locally in Keene and graduated from Keene High School in 1975. She continued her education at New Hampshire College (now SNHU) earning her associate's degree, and later earned her Paralegal certificate. Karen started her career at Peerless Insurance, and then went on to work as a paralegal for attorney Gary Sheldon for the next 25 years. In 2008 she began working for C&S Wholesale Grocers as their Food Safety Compliance Officer until her passing. Karen was a member of the American Legion and was a part of the Women's Auxiliary as one of their officers. She was a parishioner of Saint Margaret Mary Church in Keene for many years. Karen enjoyed trips to Maine in the summer, spending the day at Short Sands in York, ME, camping, sewing, and going to the races at Monadnock Speedway. She was an avid gardener and would spend hours meticulously weeding and tending to her flower and vegetable gardens that surround her home. She amassed a vast collection of her favorite flower, day lilies, and enjoyed telling her daughter whenever she got a new color or variety. She was an enthusiastic bird watcher and enjoyed feeding the birds outside her home; she especially loved the hummingbirds that came to her window asking her to put the feeder out in the spring. Karen loved spending her time with her family, especially her grandsons. Liam and Cory were the lights of her life and she loved watching them grow. Karen was truly unique; she embodied kindness, compassion, intelligence, and bravery, among many other wonderful qualities. She cared deeply about the people in her life and was loved by all who truly knew her. We love you Mom, Grammy, and Karen, we will never stop missing you and the light you filled our lives with. Ms. Herbert is survived by her children, Sarah Herbert of Manchester and her partner, Todd and Jared Herbert of Keene and his wife, Katie; her siblings, Paul Nowak of Manchester and his wife, Phyllis, and Tom Nowak of Keene and his wife, Terri. She is also survived by her partner of over 20 years, Chuck (Ronald) Fontaine of Swanzey; grandchildren, Liam Herbert and Cory Herbert; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is predeceased by her father, Edward, her mother, Ethel and Ethel's second husband, Louis Bergeron. Services will be held in May 2025, dates to be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Karen to support liposarcoma research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.danafarber.org/gift All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Home, Chapel, and Crematories. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com