LOWELL, Mass. – Barbara May Karlson, beloved mother and “Nana,” 72, formerly of Orrington, died June 16, 2010, at Merrimack Valley Hospice House, Haverhill, Mass., after a two-month battle with lung cancer. She was born May 19, 1938, in Arlington, Mass., daughter of the late Karl and Lucy (Spencer) Karlson. Her early life was spent in Lexington, Mass., and she was a graduate of Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, Class of 1956. Driven by a desire to experience the wider world, Barbara enlisted in the Air Force in November 1957 and served three years. Upon her discharge, she returned to Massachusetts where she met her husband of 20 years, the late Burton Hatlen. They married in 1961 in Bristol, Tenn. With him she relocated to Cincinnati and Davis, Calif., before making their home in Orrington with their two daughters. She worked tirelessly to restore their farmhouse property and planted gardens while also holding subsequent full-time clerical bookkeeping positions at several companies in the greater Bangor area. Her exposure to the feminist movement led her to realize a long held dream to further her education. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in French and a master’s degree in communications from the University of Maine during that period. After the marriage ended in 1982 she completed her doctoral coursework in rhetorical studies at the University of Iowa before returning to Massachusetts permanently. Barbara again worked in secretarial and accounting positions throughout Middlesex County. At retirement age she became a certified home health aide, and was devoted to her clients, many of whom became close friends. She recently joined Questers Club and treasured the friendships and experiences she had with the group. Barbara was an avid reader from an early age, with a devotion to history and all types of novels, especially fantasy and science fiction, with its visions of unfamiliar worlds and alternate societies. Deeply inspired by colors, patterns and textures, she maintained a lifelong passion for all types of fiber arts and crafts, including quilting, sewing and knitting. Primarily taking joy from the creative process itself, she delighted in giving the finished pieces to family and friends. Ever enthusiastic about the process of creating beauty in neglected buildings, she became an expert in home improvement and helped to refinish the three-apartment house she shared with her eldest daughter over the past 14 years. Only weeks before her diagnosis, she was repainting rooms in her apartment and had several knitting projects in progress. She is survived by two daughters, Julia M. Hatlen and fianc?, Mark Hayes, of Lowell, Mass., and Inger M. Hatlen and husband, Joseph L. Daniels II, of Philadelphia; grandchildren, Solveig M. Daniels and Greta May Daniels of Philadelphia; and first cousin, Sandra Crowe of Norridgewock. A memorial service will be held in the Lowell, Mass., area. Friends and family may call Julia for directions and more information. Remembrance donations may be made to Lowell Cancer Center at Lowell General Hospital Team-Walk for CancerCare, 295 Varnum Ave., Lowell, MA 01854.
BARBARA MAY KARLSON
