Karen A. Warner

Karen A. Warner, 57, of Springvale, died July 7th at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough after a long illness.She was born in Sanford on November 3, 1958, the daughter of Alfred R. and Betty (Nichols) Drouin. She attended Sanford schools and was a 1977 graduate of Sanford High School where she was an outstanding three sport athlete. She played field hockey, basketball and was an All American tennis player.Karen worked for a time at the former King's Department Store and then for 15 years worked at The Depot in Springvale before ill health forced her to retire in 2001. She also worked as a Licensed Ambulance Attendant for J & S Ambulance for several years.Karen was an enthusiastic supporter of her sons' athletic careers, only very rarely missing a game. She helped raise funds for the athletic department at Sanford High School. She was a fan of professional tennis and might stay up all night to watch matches being played on the other side of the world.She was always eager to help groups raise funds to support their programs. She was involved in Relay for Life for several years and was very active in the Maine Children's Cancer Program through the fund raising committee of the Sanford Elks Lodge.She was a communicant of St. Therse of Lisieux Parish and enjoyed taking rides, especially to the beach and the mountains.A few years ago, Karen discovered Facebook. She frequently posted all sorts of pictures of her family and especially her grandchildren, who were the light of her life. Even during her illness, when she might not be feeling her best, her first-thing-in-the-morning posts were always upbeat and full of encouragement to others to live life to its fullest, to not miss a chance to love those around them and usually contained a suggestion of what to wear that day, referring to the weather.Survivors include her husband of almost 39 years, Gary K. Warner of Springvale, son John K. Warner, his wife Alicia and their children Cooper and Peyton of Westbrook, son Michael R. Warner, his wife Sarah and their daughter Avery of Sanford, her mother, Betty Drouin of Sanford, brother, Richard Drouin and his wife Nancy of Sanford, sister Doreen Woodsome and her husband John of Waterboro, brother David Drouin and his wife Angela of Sanford, brother Ronald Drouin of Seattle, WA, and several nieces and nephews.The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, July 12th from 4 to 7 PM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 13th at 10:00 AM at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, 66 North Avenue, Sanford. Burial will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Sanford.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Maine Children's Cancer Program, 100 Campus Drive, Scarborough, ME 04074. Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Sanford-Springvale. Condolences can be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.