Karen Gayle Bailey

BANGOR - Karen Gayle (McKenzie) Bailey, 71, was born in Bangor, Maine to Eleanor Mae (Byron) McKenzie and James McKenzie Sr., on June 1, 1954.

Karen attended Bangor schools and graduated from Bangor High School, Class of 1972. Most of her career was spent working as a Registered Nurse in the ER at Eastern Maine Medical Center. She worked there for more than 34 years, the bulk of which was on the night shift. After this interesting and all-consuming job, she retired from nursing in 2015.

In addition to that career, she had one as the organist at First Baptist Church in Bangor. She really enjoyed playing the organ and the people at First Baptist Church. In May of 2025, she retired from the church.

Karen's real passion, however, was in feeding people. She cooked for the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen at the Salvation Army, developed a Cooking Club, and cooked for just about everyone she knew.

She is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Fred Bailey. Together they lived a quiet life, enjoyed each other's company and were always up for a road trip.

Karen was predeceased by her mother, Eleanor and a sister, Barbara McLeod. In addition to Fred, she is survived by her father, James McKenzie, Sr.; a treasured friend, Judith Pruszenski; her daughter, Erika, was her best contribution to life. She is also survived by Emily Kempton, Susan McKenzie and James McKenzie, Jr., Emma Doyle, Finnian Gorman and lots of nephews and a niece.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00a.m., Friday, March 6, 2026, at First Baptist Church, 56 Center St, Bangor. All are welcome to share conversation and refreshments in church, immediately following the service. Gifts to groups participating in feeding people would be most appreciated. World Central Kitchen, P.O. Box 96538, Washington DC, 20090, or online by visiting donate.wck.org was one of Karens favorites. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.