1939 – 2015

RUMFORD — Karen F. Porter, 76, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, with her loving family by her side at her residence in Rumford.

She was born in Lewiston on Feb. 13, 1939, and was the daughter of Charles and Eslyn (Warren) Bartlett. She graduated from Stephens High School in Rumford, Class of 1956, attended nursing school in Massachusetts for a year and also culinary school in South Portland.

Karen was a respiratory therapist at the Rumford Hospital and Parkview Memorial Hospital in Brunswick. She worked as a food service supervisor at the Dixfield Nursing Home and the Rumford Community Home. She had owned and operated The Breadbasket Restaurant in Rumford. She was also a caregiver for many in the area and a hospice care volunteer.

Karen was a member of the Rumford Center United Methodist Church. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading, traveling and spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include a daughter, Rhonda Sinclair and husband, Bill, of Mexico; a son, Ronald “Doug” Porter II and Kathy Wells of Lewiston; a sister, Cathy Caron of Saco; two brothers, the Rev. Daniel Bartlett and wife, Martha, of Wilder, Vt., and William “Bill” Bartlett and wife, Karen, of Norwich, Conn.; six grandchildren, Jami, Aaron, Mindy, Douglas and wife, Amanda, Ronny and Joslyn; eight great-grandchildren, Josh, Taylor, Kaylani, Gabriel, Peyton, Falynn, Caleb and Jayce; and a sister-in-law, Ann Bartlett of Rochester, Minn.

She was predeceased by her parents; a daughter, Shelly Armstrong; sisters, Betty Jean and Nancy; and a brother David.

Friends are invited to sign the family guest book and share their thoughts, condolences and memories online at www.meaderandson.com.