Karen Baker

MONTGOMERY, VT - Karen Elizabeth Josephson Baker lost her second battle with cancer on December 22, 2014. Her loving husband, family and friends surrounded her in her last days. Karen was her caring self to the end placing her concerns and love for all who knew her before her own needs.
Karen was born on December 3, 1965 in Charleston, South Carolina to Edward H. and Judith Coates Josephson. She was a military brat , growing up in Florida, Tennessee, Illinois, New York, Virginia and New Hampshire.
Long before Karen had graduated from Exeter High School, Exeter, New Hampshire she had made her career choice. She would help children and families. She knew she needed a good professional education to reach her goals. She started at Plymouth State College in New Hampshire and finished her bachelors degree from the University of Tampa, Tampa, Florida. While the academic work was challenging enough, at the same time she was the primary caregiver for her grandmother, Velma Coates.
Karen then moved back to New Hampshire and picked the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester (NH) to start her chosen career and earned her Masters of Clinical Psychology from Antioch College in Keene, New Hampshire.
At this point Karen met the love of her life, Allen Baker. They married in Hawaii April 19, 2005 and settled down in Allens hometown of Montgomery, Vermont. She continued to pursue her career at the Northeast Kingdom Human Health Services in Newport, Vermont. It was here that Karen fulfilled her childhood ambitions as a Child and Family Therapist/Childrens Coordinator. She not only helped troubled children and families, she taught and trained others and climbed the supervisory ladder as her knowledge and skills progressed. While her responsibilities increased, she never lost sight of her fundamental goals: helping children and families cope with lifes most difficult challenges. She was loved and respected by colleagues and client alike.
Karen is survived by her husband, Allen Ray Baker, stepdaughter, Kristin Baker, and granddaughter Sophia. She is also survived by her parents, Edward and Judith Josephson, brother, Edward (Andy) Josephson and her very special niece, Monica Josephson. Numerous uncles, aunts and cousins of several generations also survive Karen and have benefited from her strength, sound advice and selflessness. Also benefitting from Karens commitment to helping others is Dylan Laroche, who became like a son to Allen and Karen.
Her love of family claimed first priority in her life but she also loved taking her dogs to the beach, travelling, swimming, the hot tub and, perhaps most of all, riding her motorcycle. Sometimes she was able to combine everything in a big adventure, like the family road trip to the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Karen was a creative person often expressed through her original jewelry designs and unique decorations.
When Karen lived in Florida as a young girl she visited the Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. There she was attracted by a quotation by Edward Bok in the Bok Tower. It was Make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it. She took it to heart and kept a framed print of it. She made the world both a bit better and more beautiful for all who knew her.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the Montgomery United Methodist Church, Fuller Bridge Road & Route 118, Montgomery Village, VT. Interment will be held in the spring in the Montgomery Village Cemetery.
For those who wish, contributions in Karens memory may be made to Northeast Kingdom Human Services - Childrens Dept., P.O. Box 724, Newport, VT 05855.