Karmo Sanders, who taught playwriting and acting for non-majors at the University of Southern Maine, passed away on October 25, 2025.
A beloved faculty member of the USM Department of Theatre, Sanders is remembered by colleagues as a vibrant and joyful individual, who fiercely advocated for both her craft and her students.
“Karmo had a way of inspiring students to pursue their passions; it was advice from a place of personal practice – in addition to teaching, Karmo was actively writing and performing, and continuing to investigate her own passion and love for theatre, and language, and storytelling,” said Associate Professor of Theatre Sara Valentine.
Sanders was best known across the state of Maine as the “Marden’s Lady,” appearing in television ads for the retailer that eventually led to stand-up comedy routines as the character “Birdie Googins.”
Click here to read Sanders’ obituary, and learn more about her life and legacy in the Portland Press Herald.