Kari Lynn Hammar-Shevlin

Kari Lynn Hammar-Shevlin, 41, of Ledyard, Conn., loving wife of seven years to Mark Shevlin, died unexpectedly Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014 at home.

Born, Jan. 5, 1973 in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Kari is the daughter of Jon and Diana (Wilson) Klesner of Fountain Hills and has lived in Ledyard for the past eight years.

Kari was a graduate of Gilbert High School in Gilbert, Ariz. and the Phoenix College of Dental Assisting in Phoenix. After working in the dental field for several years she devoted her life to her family.

Kari was an active supporter of Autism Speaks, Special Olympics an animal lover and rescuer. Equestrian interests were among some of Kari’s favorite pursuits and she was looking forward to getting back to the barn.

Kari was well known in her Ledyard neighborhood for her pet pig Penelope. Kari regularly attended all events her three children participated in and was affectionately known as the captain of the Shevlin submarine.

In addition to her husband and parents, she leaves her three children, Anna and Isabelle Hammar and Luke Shevlin, all of Ledyard; two sisters, Leslee Brandom and her husband, John, of Corona, Calif. and Jamie Reeder and her husband Erin of Germany; a brother, Jon Klesner and his wife Karina of Saudi Arabia; five nieces and two nephews.

Her family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 2:30 to 3 p.m. at the Mystic Funeral Home, Route 1, Mystic, followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m.

There will be a gathering to celebrate Kari’s life after the service and the location will be announced.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Kari’s memory may be made to Autism Speaks.