GREENWOOD – On Jan. 23, 2025, Karen Marie (Ross) Mills passed at the Hospice House in Auburn after a very difficult fight against a vicious type of cancer caused by her use of immune suppressing drugs in her long fight against arthritis.

Karen was born in 1944 in Newport, R.I., the eldest of four siblings born to Peter and Anna (Sullivan) Ross. She graduated in 1964 from Rogers High School, in 1997 as a surgical technologist from N.E. Institute of Technology, and in 2000 from the University of England, where she worked in diabetes research. She had previously run a Weight Watchers program, worked in surgery in Providence R.I. and York, Maine, driven a launch for the Ida Lewis Yacht Club, done sail making and taught skiing at Killington in Vermont. After retirement she did substitute teaching in SAD 44 in Maine.

She had many interests and hobbies over time that included hiking, swimming, health care and nutrition, cross country skiing, knitting, and continuing her education.

She was previously married to Walter Slocum, who passed away many years ago. She was married in 2005 to Dwight Mills of Greenwood.

She is survived by Dwight; a daughter, Margrethe DeLeon (Victor) of Florida and daughter, Lisa Slater (Jon) of New Hampshire. She is also survived by a stepson, Dustin Mills (Theresa Gibson) of Maine; and five grandchildren, William, Victor and Alex DeLeon of Florida and Cyrus and Kylee Mills of Maine. She is also survived by a brother, Peter Ross of Hawaii, a sister, Cindy Ross of Rhode Island; and many, many close friends.

She was predeceased by a sister, Sue; and by her parents.

Many thanks go out to the wonderful people at Andwell, both home care and The Hospice House, Bethel Family Health Center, Central Maine Health’s Cancer Center, New England Cancer Specialists, PACE Ambulance, and Stephens’ Memorial Hospital.

In keeping with Karen’s wishes, there will be no service or visiting hours other than a private family memorial service to be held in the near future. In time, her ashes will be spread in Maine and Rhode Island.

Friends and family are invited to share memories of Karen with the family at http://www.meaderandson.com.