Karen (Louise) Lang Gidman (89), beloved wife of the late George A. Gidman, died August 6, 2015 at Bickford Health Care in Windsor Locks after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Hartford, March 11, 1926 to the late John J. and Olga Ehlers Lang and resided most of her life in Windsor, moving to West Suffield in 2005, to her mobile home in 2009, and to Bickford in 2014. She leaves two sons, Geoffrey L. Gidman and his wife, Karen, of West Hartford and Charles (Chuck) G. Gidman of Southwick, MA and two daughters, Elizabeth A. D'Amico, and her husband, Joseph, of West Suffield and Christine M. Zandstra and her husband, William, of Snoqualmie, WA. She also leaves five grandchildren: Michael C. Gidman, Sarah M. Tracy, William R. Zandstra, Jr., Danielle E. Walsh, and Jessica M. French and five great grandchildren. She also leaves her sister, Florine M. Wilbur, of Avoca, NY as well as many nieces and nephews.
As a young adult, Karen worked for the Fuller Brush Company. A trained soprano, she was a frequent soloist at weddings and other events prior to having her family. After raising her children, she returned to work at the UConn Institute of Public Service International; the DB Macdonald Center of Hartford Seminary, and Beech Park School of then DMR. She was an amazing advocate for those in need and championed many causes, such as abolition of the death penalty, prison reform, environmental issues, and simple fairness in the world wherever she saw the need. She had literally dozens of letters to the editor published The Hartford Times, The Journal Inquirer, and The Hartford Courant and the US News and World Report. She was famous for her cookies, a desired Christmas gift for many, also sending them to soldiers during the Vietnam conflict. She ran, albeit unsuccessfully, for the state legislature under Gov. Weicker's A Connecticut Party ticket in 1994 at age 68. With her husband George, she spent many happy times in their second home in Ripley, Maine, moving there for a year after retirement. She will be dearly missed by her family and many others. The family would like to thank the many caring staff of Bickford Health Care as well as the Beacon Hospice team, with special appreciation to hospice nurse Pat Brown.
There will be a private graveside service at the convenience of the family. The Sheehan- Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford has charge of arrangements. Memorial gifts may be made to the Poquonock Fire Department in memory of George and Karen Gidman.