Karen A. Kalajian Harris

Portland- Karen A. Kalajian Harris, 75, formerly of Cobbert Road died peacefully on January 30, 2019 following a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease, her loving sons were by her side. Karen was born of Armenian descent, in Stuttgard, Germany on March 14, 1943 the daughter of the late Paul N. and Araxi Kalajian, she graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1961. After Karen's sons were born they moved to Portland. She worked at CP Railroad, Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson Law Firm as a legal secretary and then ended her career at the Boulos Company. In her spare time, Karen enjoyed reading, knitting, sewing and gardening and had a great love of pets, especially cats and dogs. Her greatest love, however, was being surrounded by children. Even in her later years, Karen volunteered at a local daycare until her illness forced her to no longer be able to volunteer. Her sons commented that Karen was always a very happy person that loved to laugh and always had a camera to capture those special moments. She was a simple woman that didn't require extravagant things to make her happy. She was known in the neighborhood as the "milk and cookies mom" and always had an open door for her sons' friends. Karen will long be remembered as a loving, good hearted and happy person who always put family and friends first. Her two sons are a true testament to the fact that Karen was a strong and loving mother that passed on good morals, kindness and a strong work ethic to her boys. Karen was predeceased by a brother, John Kalajian. She is survived by two sons, Christopher Harris and his wife Samantha of Portland, and Michael Harris of Scarborough; two sisters, Alice Hunter of TX, and Audrey Kalajian of Watertown, MA; two grandchildren, Drew Harris of CA, and Paiton Harris of Portland; brother and sister in laws, Michael and Joanna Hawker of MA and Sarabeth Kalajian of FL; nephew, Matthew Kalajian; nieces, Jill Leggett, Lisa Hunter, Amy Hunter, Alexandra Eurdolian, and Lara Eurdolian. Karen's family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Rose Garden at Scarborough Terrace for the love, care and compassion shown to Karen during her time with them and to the staff of Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for making their mother's final journey a peaceful and pain free one. Visiting hours celebrating Karen's life will be held on Friday, February 8, 2019 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, ME. Services will be private. To view Karen's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Those who wish may make contributions in Karen's memory to: Alzheimer's Association, 383 US Route 1, #2C, Scarborough, ME 04074