BREWER — Karen E. Sargent, 60, of Bangor, passed away at 8:52 a.m. Monday, April 2, at the Brewer Rehabilitation & Living Center, after a long illness.

Karen was born in Farmington on June 24, 1957, to Harold R. and Marjorie Jean (Fletcher) Essman, the only daughter in a passel of boys. She graduated from Mt. Blue High School and married Mahlon “Chip” Sargent, of East Wilton, on Feb. 23, 1974. Karen worked for a time at G.H. Bass in Wilton. She later went back to school to obtain her degree, then worked for many years as a dietetic technician at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Karen proudly accepted the titles of Nana and Grammie. In addition to spending time with her family, she enjoyed gardening, horses, working puzzles and listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Karen is survived by her husband of 44 years, Chip Sargent, of Bangor; a daughter, Tracy Petrea, and her husband, Mitch, of Iuka, Ill.; a son, Russell Sargent, and his wife, Jessica, of Milford; grandchildren, Robbie Petrea, Austin Sargent, Arianna Sargent, Skyla Wickett and Austin Wickett; brothers, Russell Essman of Oklahoma, Peter Essman and his wife, Peggy, of Wilton, Eric Essman of Virginia, Harold Essman and his wife, Joy, of East Wilton, and Kurt and his wife, Cathy, of Iowa; sisters-in-law, Susan Essman of Farmington and Lisa Essman of East Wilton; and several nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her father, Harold R. Essman; her mother, Marjorie J. Buchanan; her stepfather, Murdock Buchanan; brothers, Olin, Carl and Ronald Essman; and grandson, Levi Gabriel Buchanan Petrea.