Diane Beaudoin Karr

Diane Beaudoin Karr, 64, of Pepperell, died Saturday, September 15, in Lowell, surrounded by loved ones after a long battle with cancer. Born in Leominster, February 2, 1954, to the late Armand and Mary Florence (Jacques) Beaudoin, Diane is best known for her warm, welcoming spirit, offering love, compassion, and pie to everyone lucky enough to meet her. She graduated with a B.S. Summa Cum Laude in Education from Boston University, where she met Ron, her husband of 44 years.  Together they ran Branch Line Press out of their home in Pepperell and published a number of books on the history of New England. She served for five years as an elected member of the North Middlesex Regional School Committee, and for more than 30 years has been an elected official in Pepperell. She volunteered as USDA Food Coordinator for PACH Outreach Food Pantry but was equally happy working in her garden, embroidering crazy quilts, or travelling the world.


Diane is survived by her husband Ronald Karr; her three children, Emilie Karr, Matthew Karr, and Jeannine Karr of Bellevue, WA; her mother Mary Florence Beaudoin, of Ellsworth, ME; her brothers Andre Beaudoin, of Hot Springs, AR, Henry Beaudoin, of Trenton, ME, and Paul Beaudoin, of Seymour, CT; and several nieces and nephews and many cousins; as well as everyone she welcomed into her heart and family.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, Sept. 21 from 5-7 PM at McGaffigan Family Funeral Home, 37 Main St. Pepperell. A Memorial Celebration of Diane’s life will be Sunday, Sept. 23 from 2-4 PM at Cathedral of the Pines, 10 Hale Hill Rd. Rindge, NH. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to PACH Outreach (www.pachoutreach.org) or your local food pantry.