Lesbian Lover Loses Guardianship Fight; Third Party Named

DULUTH, Minn. —  A legal guardianship battle between the parents of a brain-damaged woman and her lesbian lover has concluded with neither side being chosen.

St. Louis County District Judge Robert Campbell on Wednesday appointed a longtime friend of Sharon Kowalski to be her legal guardian while she stays in a nursing home. He rejected Karen Thompson’s plea to manage the affairs of and live with her lover.

Donald Kowalski, who had disapproved of his daughter’s lifestyle and Thompson’s decision to make it public in the guardianship case, resigned as guardian last May, citing heart problems and weariness with the court process.

When Thompson petitioned to take his place, Kowalski and his wife, Della, told Campbell that if their daughter were moved back in with Thompson, they would stop visiting her. Kowalski, 34, has required 24-hour care since she was struck by a drunken driver in November, 1983.

Campbell decided “a neutral third party” would best guarantee that Kowalski continues to receive support from her parents and Thompson. He named Karen Tomberlin, a teacher and coach who has known Kowalski since 1973 and had asked to be appointed guardian in March.