Karen Lougee Tribute

The Society Bids a Final Farewell to Our Secretary

By Haley Pal

It is with overwhelming sadness that we say goodbye to our Secretary Karen Lougee. Karen passed away on January 8 after a brief illness. Her loss will leave a big hole in our Society and her love of life and willingness to pitch in will be treasured by all of us who worked with her.

Karen joined the Society in 2018 and was elected Secretary in October of that year. In addition to her secretarial duties, she was an active member of the archiving team and the program committee. You would often see her smiling face putting out treats and snacks at our programs at the Little Meetinghouse.

She also threw her passionate spirit into her latest project, acting as Steward of the Windham Center Library. She worked tirelessly over the past few years helping to get the old building renovated. It was in need of a new roof, windows needed to be glazed, and sagging interior walls were in need of repair. In addition, artifacts and books had to be collected, archived, and displayed. The floor had to be sanded, furniture found and placed, curtains had to be sewn, flowers had to be purchased and planted in window boxes, and the front door replaced. Karen worked with contractors, electricians, the Town Code department, Society members, friends, and her daughter in putting all the finishing touches in place before its Grand Opening at last year’s Fall Harvest Festival in September. It will forever be her legacy.

Karen was an avid reader. She loved historical fiction and stories about Scotland and England. She also enjoyed her book club meetings, making quilts, and tending her gardens. Lilacs were among her favorite flowers.

She had a real zest for life and most especially loved her family. From camping trips with her husband, to chats by the firepit with her sons, to visiting historic homes with her daughter, she enjoyed spending time with them. She and her husband Gerry had three children, eight grandchildren, and one great grandson together. “They keep us young,” she once cheerfully said. So, of course, Karen enjoyed the happy chaos of Christmas mornings when she hosted the family breakfast at her house.

Karen will leave a big shadow at the Windham Historical Society. We will all cherish her memory and we’re grateful to have had her in our organization for the years we did. May she rest in peace knowing she touched many lives and that her life truly did make a difference.