Today, for the Women's History Month Project, we are celebrating the 10th woman of the month
Meet this fabulous lady, Karen Poore, 80, wife, mother of 3, and the grandmother of 6 perfect grand kids.
Karen Poore was born in Newport, RI on October 27th, 1941. Her family moved to Norfolk, VA, living there until she was 4. (Karen was a “Navy brat,” her father served 30 years in the U.S. Navy). Her family then moved to the island of Southport, Maine where she grew up, happily being “raised by a village.”
From kindergarten through grade 8, Karen attended a 2 room school house on Southport. One teacher taught K-3 and the other teaching principal taught grades 4-8. There were 5 in her class: 3 girls and a set of twin boys. She then went to Boothbay Region High School for 4 of the most fulfilling years of her life, graduating in June, 1960.
For the first 2 years of Karen’s college career she attended Nason College in Springvale, Maine. She earned a full scholarship for her sophomore year. She was an RA in her sophomore year, which paid for her room and board. She and Rodney were married in June, 1962 and she transferred to Gorham State Teacher’s College, where she majored in elementary education, graduating in 1964 with BS degree.
Karen has had health challenges in her life such as a heart attack, breast cancer, and Crohn’s disease. Another huge challenge was being parented by a mother who was “always sick” (a hypochondriac). That was huge and lasted her whole life until she passed away in June, 2009. At 78, Karen’s dear husband, Rodney, was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. That was, and continues to be, an enormous challenge.
The most challenging happening Karen experienced was when her then 20 year old daughter, Erin, was raped at gunpoint by a fellow classmate.
Overcoming these challenges, as well as many others, has been tough; however with the love and support of family and friends, excellent counseling, and her faith and belief in her God and savior, Jesus Christ, she has been able, and continues to be able, to deal with them.
Karen’s life achievements are being a good daughter, a caring sister, a loving wife, a faithful mother, and a doting grandmother. She is the wife of an amazing man, the mother of 3 incredible children, and the grandmother of 6 perfect grand kids. She has been involved with multiple church activities. After Erin was raped, Karen was trained to be a hotline advocate for the Rape Crisis Center. She did that for 3 years, meeting with victims at police stations, hospitals, and court rooms. She also served multiple victims by listening to them and giving helpful advice on the phone. Through her church, Karen became affiliated with My Sister’s Keeper. She was trained to become a mentor to women in prison or just getting out. She was able to help one former inmate get a job and reunite with her son. Another woman she worked with got her first apartment (she had either been homeless or in prison or most her life) and adopted a cat!
A 34 year achievement for Karen is having had the opportunity to teach and learn from well over 700 9-11 year olds. She absolutely loved her career and would not have changed it for anything else.
Karen’s passions are reading (when her 5th grade students said “What are you going to do with your time after you retire?”, her response was: “I am going to READ!”), gardening, cross word puzzles, spending quality time with close friends and family, and her faith-based opportunities. Playing the piano is also a passion Karen has developed; she started taking lessons at age 60!
Above all things in life, Karen values God, family, friends, and love.
Her words of wisdom to other women would be to love and respect themselves, and to remember their needs and wants as they constantly care for and do things for others, to take care of themselves and have fun in whatever they want.
Another favorite quote is:
“Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.”
*****
Thank you, Karen, for sharing your journey with us all!
#whm #womenshistorymonth #womansupportingwomen #womanoftheday #mainephotographer
4 Comments
Mar 11, 2024, 7:43:44 PM
Kristi Mclean - You are such an amazing person Karen (Mimi). Keep shining! Love the photo of you and Erin, I hope you have it snd your favorite glamour shot printed. You are beautiful!
Mar 11, 2022, 11:58:04 AM
Richard Smithson - Karen you are beautiful in so many ways. Richard
Mar 11, 2022, 10:32:20 AM
Gail Munson Ryder - I had the pleasure of teaching with Karen for many years. She was an outstanding professional with a strong love for learning and her students. She was a good friend to all of her colleagues. I can think of no one more deserving of this tribute!
Mar 11, 2022, 9:41:38 AM
Judith Rosen - Karen is an amazing woman and a very dear friend. She brings compassion,caring, love and laughter wherever she goes. I am so proud of her and this tribute to her is very well deserved