Karen Newell Eitel

RANDOLPH – Karen Newell Eitel, 80, of Randolph, NH, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 26, 2024, at the Summit by Morrison with her family at her side, after battling Alzheimer’s for the last 5 years.

She was born on October 30, 1943 in Leesburg, FL, the daughter of Raymond and Jennie Newell. Karen grew up in Fruitland Park, FL with her two sisters, Kristie and Ginger and her brother, Ivan and later moved to Leesburg, FL. She gained her real estate license in Florida and then moved to Massachusetts to raise her children. She was active in the PTA, Girl Scouts, a local militia group and many other family activities.

In her next phase of life, she moved to Maine and attended the University of Southern Maine and worked at the Center of Vision and Policy in Portland developing a curriculum on Native American studies for the Maine school system. After meeting and marrying Walter (Woody) Eitel and moving to Randolph, NH, she joined the League of NH Craftsmen as an artist and a juried member and contributor to their art collection. She exhibited her art and photography at the League stores in NH and galleries throughout New England. She was actively involved in civic and cultural activities in Randolph where she enjoyed a fulfilling life with the love of her life, Woody, for the last 30 years.

She was a brilliant writer and photographer with a passion for the outdoors – she was an avid hiker, camper, fly fisherman, white water canoeist, traveler, historian, genealogist and book author. In addition, she was a wonderfully caring and thoughtful wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. She was such a kind spirit who will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

She is survived by her husband, Walter Eitel of Randolph; sister Kristie (Newell) Helinger and her husband, Jim of Seminole, FL; sister Ginger (Newell) Merrill and her husband, Tommy of Linden, FL; daughter Cindy (Card) Demers and her husband, Steve, of Lighthouse Point, FL and their two children, Alex and Abby; daughter Amanda (Card) Hicks and her partner, Randy of Clearwater, FL; son Tony Panchella and his wife, Carrie of Atlanta, GA and his two children, Anthony and Zachary; and grandson Rob Helinger and his wife, Bethany and their son, Samuel of Largo, FL.

Karen was predeceased by her parents, Raymond and Jennie; and her brother, Ivan. 

The family would like to give special thanks for the wonderful, loving care she received at the Summit by Morrison in Whitefield, NH and from the North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency in Littleton, NH.

A memorial service for Karen will be held on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 2pm at the Randolph Church in Randolph, NH. To share memories and condolences with the family, please go to www.bryantfuneralhome.net.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the:  Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org