Karen Sommer

GLENBURN, ME & WATERFORD, CT - Karen (Morrison) Sturgeon-Sommer, passed away peacefully in her home state of Maine, surrounded by her loved ones on June 21, 2020. She courageously battled glioblastoma, a very aggressive brain cancer, and never lost her beautiful smile or her strength.
Karen was born September 27, 1957 in Bangor, Maine to Ervin and Bette Morrison. After graduating a year early from Orono High School she married Gary Sturgeon, also from Orono. Gary’s naval career took them all over the country. In 1979 their daughter, Jennifer Lynn was born, followed by Eric Matthew in 1982. They settled in Waterford CT where they spent 20 years. Karen worked for the Town of Waterford for many years, being awarded the Employee of the Year in 1991. She moved on to work for the State of Connecticut before following her dream of opening her own business.
After a divorce in 2004 Karen decided it was time for a fresh start and joined her cousin Donna in Las Vegas where she lived for 15 years. She married Anthony Sommer, and upon their divorce in 2013 Karen began indulging her desire for travel and adventure. She spent the next 6 years running a successful property management business and seizing every opportunity she could to make new memories. Her wanderlust took her to exotic places like Fiji, Costa Rica, and Hawaii where she lived for a year, and explored the country on two mostly solo cross-country road trips. She visited with her family often and especially enjoyed adventures with her grandson, Evan.
In 2019, Karen decided it was time to settle closer to her family, and moved back to Connecticut in August. She looked forward to enjoying the everyday life of being a grandparent, seeing soccer games and taking Evan to yard sales, their favorite activity. Just a few short months later she was diagnosed with stage 4 Glioblastoma, a very aggressive brain cancer. A stroke suffered during surgery left her unable to use most of her left arm and leg, but she never gave up working hard at physical therapy.
Karen spent the last part of her life back in her home state, living with her son Eric and daughter-in-law, Amy. She was surrounded by loved ones and spent time watching old Elvis movies and enjoyed all of her favorite foods, including as many whoppie pies and Reese’s peanut butter cups as she wanted. She passed away peacefully on June 21st, 2020.
Karen is survived by her father, Ervin Morrison, Sr., and his partner, Jan Stride; brother, Ervin Morrison, Jr; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Gregory Chapel; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Amy Sturgeon; her beloved grandson, Evan Chapel; aunt, Carole Milheron; and many other aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her mother, Bette Morrison.
A burial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, June 28, 2020 at Riverside Cemetery, Orono. Those who wish to remember Karen in a special way may make gifts in her memory to, Northern Light Home Care & Hospice, 885 Union Street, Suite 2, Bangor, ME, 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com