Karen B. Halnon, visiting assistant professor of sociology, 1998-99, died on January 21, 2018, in Orange, Massachusetts.
(The following appeared online at stone-ladeau.com, January 2018:)
Orange—Dr. Karen Bettez Halnon (55) was born on June 15, 1962 in Gardner, Massachusetts, and died on January 21, 2018, in Orange. Karen was a Christian who had a strong faith in God. Her most valued accomplishment in life was raising her two sons, Theodore Raymond Halnon and Charles Michael Halnon. Karen was the daughter of Eileen Alma Lemay and was predeceased by her father Roger Edward Lemay.
Dr. Halnon earned her Doctor of Philosophy from Boston College in 1995 and her AB from Amherst College in 1986. Karen was a Professor of Sociology at Penn State University since 1999. Her previous teaching positions included assignments at the University of Vermont and Bowdoin College. Dr. Halnon was an accomplished author whose publications are extensive and her work greatly contributed to the body of knowledge of Sociology. She was dedicated to social justice and helping the poor. In her spare time she enjoyed writing, reading, traveling, listening to music, and attending live shows.
Survivors include her mother, Eileen LeMay of Orange; sons, Theodore Halnon of Rochester, NY and Charles Halnon of Willow Grove, PA and their father Raymond Halnon; siblings, Raymond Bettez of S. Royalston, Laurie Voedisch and her husband, Eric, of Leominster, Susan Bettez Libby of Winchendon, RoseMary LeMay Huebner of Plattsburgh, NY, and Janice LeMay Cox and her husband, Charles, of Orange,and Diane Way of Colchester, VT who had a life-long sisterly relationship with Karen . Karen was predeceased by her brothers William Bettez and James Lamoureaux. She was greatly loved and will be missed by her many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, associates, and former students.
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philipians 4:8