Karen Marshall Keyes, 74, passed away on April 1, 2024 after a period of declining health. 

She was born Sept. 16, 1949 at Maine Medical Center in Portland, a daughter to Lawrence and Betsey (Pease) Marshall.  She grew up in Niantic, Connecticut, spending many wonderful summers at the family cottage in Boothbay Harbor.  She graduated from New London High School in 1967. 

She then took a job waitressing at Brown Brothers Wharf. She met and married Kenneth Gosselin and made her home in Boothbay Harbor. Together they welcomed sons, John and Mark. During this time, she balanced raising a family while working at many local restaurants. She enjoyed attending her sons school events, playing racquetball and tennis. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed sewing, knitting and quilting. 

In 1988, she and Ken purchased and ran Hillside Acres Motor Court in Boothbay. They successfully ran it for 18 years until Ken passed away in 2006. During this time, she took great pride in being a business owner. She was often seen serving breakfast, cleaning rooms, socializing poolside, always with a smile welcoming guests and the many who came back year after year, developing into friendships she cherished. 

In 2008, she married Jeff Keyes. They retired and made their home in Boothbay Harbor. In her retirement she was not idle. She volunteered at the local food pantry, was active in her church, enjoyed playing tennis, and settled into her role as Gramma. It was during this time that she really came into her own quilting. In her downstairs she and her many friends would spend hours sewing. Through their group Kwiltz 4 Kinds the delivered quilts around the community for those in need. 

Karen was predeceased by her first husband, Kenneth Gosselin and her parents Lawrence and Betsey Marshall. 

Karen is survived by her husband, Jeff Keyes of Boothbay Harbor; her children John and his wife Kristen Gosselin of Southport and Mark and his wife Jennifer Gosselin of Boothbay Harbor; stepson Scott and his wife Bree Keyes of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Also, her grandchildren Dimitry, Natalia, Emily and Anna Gosselin. Her stepgrandchildren Malcolm, Lenny, Thomas, Spencer, Jacob, and Elizabeth Keyes of Virginia and Jamie Sprague of Gardiner. Her siblings Anne and her husband Bill Rehm of Bristol, Connecticut, Thomas and his wife Judy Marshall of Southport, and Peter and his wife Nancy Marshall of Kennebunk. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. 

A memorial service to honor Karen’s life will be held at a later date. 

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hall Funeral Home of Boothbay.  To extend online condolences, light a candle for Karen or to share a story or picture, please visit Karen’s Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com