Karen Durkin, formerly of Water Mill, died in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 28, 2018, with her husband by her side, just one day after her 58th birthday. She died of stage 4 cancer.
Born in Water Mill, Ms. Durkin was a graduate of Southampton High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from American University in 1982. While in college, she was a member of the varsity field hockey team and set a single season school record for goal tending proficiency.
She began her interest in the hospitality industry by working at her mother’s Old Mill Restaurant in Southampton. It was at the Old Mill that she discovered that her personality, attention to detail and love of good food brought her much satisfaction and fulfillment. She went on to open her own successful restaurant, Karen Lee’s, in Bridgehampton, which she operated for eight years.
Looking to satisfy her craving for a new adventure, she left the East End in 1996, and spent the last 22 years of her life traveling around the United States with her husband, Sam Mihoulides. Over that time, she shared her hospitality talents at various restaurants and entertainment venues predominantly in the Southeastern and Western United States. She genuinely cherished those experiences.
She was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and took great pride in her considerable culinary skills. Her warm personality and genuine concern for others are fondly remembered by the many friends she made from all around the country.
Karen was the daughter of the late Leo and Joanne (Jen) Borkoski. She is survived by her husband, Sam; and her five siblings, Joanne, Mary Louise (Manya) Prahl, Leo, Chuck and Larry; five nieces; two stepchildren; and three step-grandchildren.
Survivors said she left this world having lived her life with an exuberant, adventuresome and loving spirit. Those who knew her admired her generosity, warmth, love of life and terrific sense of humor.
Memorial donations may be sent to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, online at stjude.org/tributes or by calling 1-800-822-6344.
on Sep 10, 2018