Karen B. Clay

The Keeper of the Angels as she was known, will now watch over her family from above. Karen B. Clay 75, of Aldrich Road, Keene, NH, passed away peacefully, with her family at her side, at home on Monday, January 29, 2018.

The eldest child to her parents, Kenneth and Lorrine (Houghton) Wakefield, she was born on September 16, 1942 in Joplin, Missouri. Karen spent her early years in various locations as her father was active in the US Air-force. While she was still young, the family settled in Auburn, ME and then in Londonderry, NH where she remained until her graduation in 1960 from Central High School in Manchester, NH.

Karen met her husband, Philip H. Clay, as a blind date set up by their mothers who were in the singing group Sweet Adelines. Karen was also a member for a number of years. Karen and Phil married on June 10, 1961 and settled in Keene shortly thereafter.

Karen was a stay at home mom to her children, Christopher and Heidi, their foster children and also watched other children, until Heidi started school. At that time she entered the workforce, holding a few positions before beginning her career at The Cheshire Medical Center in Keene as a medical staff coordinator.

Karen continuously strived to learn more about the responsibilities of being a medical staff coordinator and the responsibilities of credentialing doctors. As the demands of her position grew, she decided to study for and take the required examination to become a Certified Medical Staff Coordinator, now known as a Certified Professional Medical Services Manager. Upon successfully passing the examination, Karen became involved in the National Association of Medical Staff Services and was instrumental in creating the NH Chapter, in which she held various executive positions.

Karen had two beloved volunteers while at The Cheshire Medical Center and she wrote an article on volunteerism that was published in the medical staff services journal. After leaving Cheshire Medical Center, Karen worked briefly at the Elliott Hospital in Manchester, NH and then at the Springfield Hospital in Springfield, VT until her retirement in 2010.

Karen love the great outdoors, whether it was tending her many rhododendron bushes or her vegetable gardens or her love of camping and spending time with family and friends at the cabin in the White Mountains.

Karen also enjoyed traveling and her fondest memories were of the annual trips and family vacation to York Beach, Maine. These memories were shared with many and will continue for generations to come.

Karen will be greatly missed by many, especially her husband of 56 years, Phil Clay at home, her two children, Christopher S Clay of Keene and Heidi W Clay of Marlboro, NY; four grandchildren, Michael Suazo, William Clay, Angelica Colon and Noah Clay; a great granddaughter, Nova Colon; a daughter-in-law, Brenda Glinka and her husband Jim and step-son, Chanse, of Keene; a brother Scott Wakefield and his wife, Paula of Bedford, NH; four sisters, Wendy Ferrin of Newmarket, NH, Kristin Roach of Pembroke, NH, Sydney Wakefield of York, ME, Kristin Card and her husband David of Kingston, RI; her brother-in-laws, Frank Clay and his wife Sally of Hudson, NH, Bruce Clay of Derry, NH, Paul Clay of Raymond, NH; two sister-in-laws, Anne Hollingsworth of York, ME and Diane Clay of Litchfield, ME; a cousin Teddi Tucci of Wilton, CT; as well as many other cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Karen was predeceased by her parents; a daughter, Melissa, who passed only hours after she was born; a brother-in-law, Wally Roach; and a nephew, Billy Clay.

A Remembrance Celebration of Karen’s life will be held on Saturday, June 9th from 12:00 to 3:00pm at Papagallos Restaurant, 9 Monadnock Highway, North Swanzey, NH. There are no public calling hours.

In lieu flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made in Karen’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts & New Hampshire Chapter, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.