On Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, the Londrigans lost a most precious member of the family, Karen, the adored wife of Paul and beloved mother of three children. Gregory, Stephen, and Amy were so lucky to have the gift of loving and devoted parents, not only to them, but to each other. A 58-year marriage of true love, respect, and partnership. Together they championed all their children through their adventures, while enjoying so many of their own.
Karen was always warm, gracious, and kind which made her choice to become a nurse natural to her. She practiced in Decatur where she grew up with her dear sister, Darlene, with whom she stayed close with all through her life. She even had a very special relationship with two of Darlene’s daughters, Linda Wilmes and Kimberly Chervinko.
In 1957, a teaching opportunity brought Paul, a Springfield native, to Decatur. The two married in 1960, and eventually moved north in 1967, so Paul could accept a special teaching opportunity. Karen and family happily embraced Sabrina, whom Stephen made his wife in 1988. Soon Karen was blessed with two very special grandchildren, Benjamin and Laura. She so enjoyed them all as family, but also as friends who chatted often which helped to close the distance between Hillsboro and the East Coast.
Karen’s oldest son, Gregory, lives in Hillsboro, and her youngest daughter, Amy, lives in Litchfield, with her fiancé, David Pastrovich. Both Gregory and Amy share their mother’s nature loving ways and Amy felt particularly lucky to have a best friend that loved to play in the flowers.
When Paul retired from teaching in 1990, the two moved to Hillsboro and found a spot on the lake to enjoy the things they loved most, each other, a quiet place to read or reflect, and all the nature lake living had to offer. Their home was a bird and butterfly haven. Karen loved to be outside amongst her extensive flower garden and was often excited to report bird activities and special sightings to her family and friends.
When weather wasn’t favorable to outside activities, she spent her time sewing for the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham. Always humble about her generous nature, she joyously created adorable little hospital gowns with great attention to detail. These gowns are provided to young children in need all over the world and each one she made always had a little piece of love attached to it.
While there will not be a traditional service, there will be a recognition of the light such a beautiful, life-loving woman brought to everyone in her world. A special garden will be planted in her honor by her family and friends in the spring. Her heart belonged to her family, but she was always enchanted by the earth and all the vibrant life that sprang from it. She will now and forever be part of its poetry and every bloom will have a little piece of her radiance.
