Karen L. McWhirter

Karen McWhirter, 69, a longtime resident of Marlborough, MA, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026 after a brief illness. Karen was born in Providence, RI, and grew up in Warwick and East Greenwich. She graduated from Lincoln School in Providence before attending Connecticut College, where she was awarded her B.A.in History. After college, Karen worked as a cost accountant in the Boston area, before retiring early to pursue several writing projects. She was an avid reader of fantasy and science fiction, and was working on a science fiction novel of her own at the time of her death.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Alexander and Ruth McWhirter, of East Greenwich, RI, Hilton Head, SC, and Wallingford, CT. She is survived by her two big brothers, Alan McWhirter and wife Barbara, and David McWhirter and partner Mary Ann O’Farrell, as well as by her beloved McWhirter nephews and their spouses, Jason (Alexandra, nee Santillan), Gabriel (Skye Langs), Justin (Rachael Moser), and Joshua (Kate Fisher). She also leaves a great-nephew, Julian McWhirter, and a cousin, Marilyn Chambers.

A private memorial service for Karen will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hill Skeffungton Funeral Home of East Greenwich, RI. www.hillskeffington.com