Karen Ann Grandchamp

Karen Ann (Lebuis) Grandchamp

OCTOBER 1, 1966 – JUNE 28, 2026

IN THE CARE OF

Labenski Funeral Home

Karen Ann (Lebuis) Grandchamp, 59, beloved wife of Jeffrey M. Grandchamp, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Hartford Hospital with her loving husband and best friends by her side.

Born on October 1, 1966, in Norwich, Connecticut, she was the daughter of the late Caesar and Irene (Kelly) Lebuis.

On August 15, 1987, she was united in marriage to Jeffrey M. Grandchamp at St. James Episcopal Church in Preston by the late Rev. David Canon.

Karen's joy was found in the people she loved and the simple moments they shared together. She found happiness in caring for those around her, family traditions, creating with her hands, and making every holiday and gathering feel special. She was known for her kindness, wisdom, quiet strength, creativity, and unwavering devotion to family and friends, all of which were reflected not in grand gestures, but in the way she lived each day.

Karen grew up in a former farmhouse on Miller Road. The farm had once belonged to her father's parents. Karen was proud to have lived in Preston her entire life. She was also proud of her Polish heritage from her father’s side and Irish heritage from her mother’s side.

She attended Poquetanuck Elementary School from 1971 through 1978 and Preston Plains Middle School from 1978 through 1980.

Karen was very close to her parents and sister. Growing up, she was fortunate to have a stay-at-home mom while her father traveled for Kaman Aerospace. Karen’s father’s nickname for her was Karen Annie after the famous markswoman, Annie Oakley.

Karen enjoyed riding her bike up the road to Piszczck’s Farm to watch the cows cross, building snowmen, walking around the living room with her cardboard car and romper stompers while watching Romper Room on TV, and playing in her grandparent’s old barn. She also enjoyed playing with her cousin Heather, who lived close by, and her two nephews Tommy and Jason, who were close to her age. She was also a Brownie for a short time. Her mother taught her to sew, knit, and crochet. Her mother and sister taught her the art of shopping, selecting the right gift, wrapping with ribbon and bows to perfection. Both parents and her sister taught her to cook and bake.

Every year, Karen’s parents pulled her out of school, for a day, to attend The Big E fair in Springfield, Mass. She enjoyed the crafts, cotton candy, fried dough, and going on thrill rides with her brother-in-law, Billy.

While at Preston Plains, she met Mel, who became one of her best friends. Mel lived a mile down the road and the two would get together as often as possible. Sometimes lying in the sun on the roof outside Mel’s window while her peacock strutted around squawking at them.

Karen and her mother spent one summer in Marion, North Carolina while her father set up a piano assembly line for Kaman. While there, her family visited and all toured the Smoky Mountains, Biltmore Estate, and Pigeon Forge.

Her sister took her to Disney World in 1972 and so began a love for Disney. Peter Pan was her favorite ride and a few years later, Figment became her favorite character.

Karen attended Norwich Free Academy (NFA) and was three years ahead of her nephew, Tommy, who would often yell out, “Hi, auntie”, when walking between classes, just to embarrass her. While at NFA, Karen made two more best friends, Kim and Kathy. They had numerous adventures, sleepovers, late night chats, and were very close confidants.

Karen loved to lay in her hammock on the front porch reading romance novels and listening to Billy Squier, Steve Perry, and Led Zeppelin cassettes on her boom box.

She babysat two of the neighbor’s kids and became very close with the family. She would go to the beach with them and hang out at the family store, Debutante, in the Norwichtown Mall. The mall became the place to be. The arcade, Puppy Love, Burr’s, Pickadeli, Bee Bee Dairy, Golden Star, and Caldor where she would later work, make more friends, and meet the love of her life.

Karen bought her first car, a Ford Pinto, with money she earned from babysitting and cleaning a neighbor’s house.

Her parents knew they had raised a good person that they trusted to make good decisions. They trusted her and did not worry when she was out late with her friends.

During her senior year at Norwich Free Academy she started working, Sundays only, at Caldor Department Store, Norwichtown Mall and then full-time after graduation where she was a clerk in Fronts/Snack Bar and later Housewares. In 1987 Karen started at the Norwich Savings Society in Old Mystic, CT, later People’s Bank, as a teller and worked her way up to managing the branch before leaving in December of 1999. From January 2000 to the time of her death, Karen worked as an Administrative Associate for the Mohegan Tribe’s Public Safety Fire Department.

On a day in July 1984 at Caldor, Karen was working at the snack bar when a new employee ordered a large Sprite. Jeff was his name. She liked him. Eventually, she transferred to Housewares, the department next to Hardware/Auto where Jeff worked. They talked across the aisles, hung out after work with the same friends and co-workers, went to many midnight showings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, took lunch together, and soon became best friends. Eventually, Jeff asked her out for dinner and a movie. April 12, 1985, the couple had their first date at Great Oak Pizza and the Norwich New London Twin Drive-In. That night they knew they were meant to be, and Jeff gave Karen his high school ring on the next date. Jeff brought Karen a single red rose every week that she would place on the snack bar counter in a Pepsi cup. Jeff proposed on April 12, 1986 at the Norwich Inn and they married on August 15, 1987. They honeymooned at Disney World.

Throughout her career, Karen formed lifelong friendships wherever she went. While working at the bank, Karen made another best friend, Patty. Both fans of the royal family, they would often gossip about the latest news and get a hotel room the night before any wedding or coronation so they could watch it live.

Karen’s 26 years at the Fire Department felt like family in a time when she lost so many family members of her own. Karen was known, affectionately, as the Commish to most of the department.

Karen had a common sense about her that she inherited from her father. She could do almost anything artistic and seemed to pick up new skills on the first try. She could cut hair, do primitive painting and crafts, create stunning floral arrangements, and was also very good at math, problem solving, and finance.

During the late 80’s and early 90’s, Karen took Civil Engineering courses at Thames Valley Community College in Norwich, and at UCONN, Avery Point. She did not complete her degree but as a project she hand-drew the twelve-sheet blueprints for her future home. Construction began in the summer of ’95 and she and her husband moved in August 15th, 1996.

Karen was very detail oriented. She put her heart into everything she did. The perfect gift, the wrapping, ribbon and bows had to be precise.

She learned how to create flower arrangements from her brother, Michael, a florist, and used that knowledge to create beautiful arrangements for the weddings, parties, and special events of her loved ones.

Karen and her brother, Tom, took primitive painting lessons from a family friend. Both excelled at it and went on to create some incredible pieces.

Karen loved crafts and for a few years sold her creations at consignment shops under the name Thistlerose Creations.

Karen loved the holidays, especially Christmas, and the planning that went with each, something she inherited from her mother and sister. Holiday dinners were prepared to perfection. Every dish would land on the table at the same time, at the correct temperature, and so delicious you would think she had a chef’s size kitchen, but no, just a normal sized one.

Karen loved to spend time with her husband. They were always together. They would often do day trips to Lancaster, PA., Vermont, and New Hampshire. Her two favorite things to do were going to the Mansfield Drive-In and sitting on the couch with her husband and pets watching her favorite TV shows, Hallmark movies, and YouTube videos of vloggers walking around Disney World. Holding hands was very important to her and the two did that as much as possible. Many trips to Florida were spent at Disney World and Sanibel Island. Karen loved walking the beaches, picking up shells, and taking pictures of the wildlife and palm trees. She also loved taking pictures at the Disney parks, riding the classic rides, seeing the shows, and dining at the Polynesian Resort and the Castle. She even had tea with Lord Twining in Epcot one year. She loved making stops on the way to Florida, mostly to shop. The more recent stops were at the many Buc-ee’s along the way.

Karen always looked forward to visiting family in Georgia, Florida, and Quebec.

Karen’s favorite books were the Fifty Shades of Grey series.

Favorite movies: Gone With The Wind, White Christmas, Holiday Inn, Beverly Hills Cop, Top Gun, and Maverick.

Favorite TV shows: Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Magnum, P.I., Mad About You, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle, Last Man Standing, Modern Family, and Big Brother.

Favorite songs: The Search is Over, Heaven, Stairway to Heaven; Gypsy, anything by Billy Squier, Steve Perry, Whitney Houston, and Barry Manilow.

Favorite singers: Whitney Houston, Steve Perry, and Barry Manilow

Favorite actor: Tom Cruise

A highlight in her life was a week in England where she visited many historic sites, Princess Diana sites, meeting Earl Charles Spencer and touring his home, seeing the homes of Beatrix Potter and Anne Hathaway, touring the town of Stratford-Upon-Avon, boating on Lake Windermere and the River Thames, having tea at the castle where the first Harry Potter movie was filmed, seeing the royal jewels, the Tower Bridge, Big Ben Tower, riding the London Eye, shopping at Buckingham Palace, and Harrods.

Not all were good times. When Karen's mother developed Alzheimer's disease, she cared for her during her lunch breaks and evenings—feeding, cleaning, and changing her until she passed away. Later, when her sister developed dementia-like symptoms, Karen, along with her husband and brother-in-law, cared for her until she, too, passed away. These losses took a tremendous toll on Karen. She lost so many loved ones and was heartbroken.

For the past few years, Karen has enjoyed weekly phone calls with her brother and great-niece, Katie, and going to dinner with her brother-in-law and husband at the many restaurants in the area.

Besides her husband, Karen is survived by a brother, Thomas Lebuis, Sr.; nephew Thomas Lebuis, Jr.; great-niece Kaitlee Lebuis, all from Cleveland, GA; brother-in-law William Koozmitch of Preston; dogs Casper & Wendy; and cat Indie.

Besides her parents, Karen was predeceased by a brother, Michael P. Lebuis; sister Sandra J. Koozmitch; sister-in-law Rita (Dalaney) Lebuis; nephew Jason Lebuis; and many pets.

Karen liked purple and the royal family. Wearing a shade of purple, hats, or fascinators are encouraged at the wake, funeral, and celebration of life.

Family and friends may visit Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Ave., Norwich, CT on Wednesday, July 15 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. All are welcome to participate in the funeral to be held at St. James Episcopal Church, 95 Route 2A Preston, CT on Thursday, July 16 at 9:30am. Burial will immediately follow at Maplewood Cemetery, 184 Salem Turnpike, Norwich, CT. A British Tea reception and celebration of life will follow at The Hotel Callista, 352 Main St. Norwich, CT.

Please visit www.labenskifuneralhome.com to leave an online condolence for Karen’s family.

For flowers, please visit McKenna’s Flower Shop, 520 Boswell Ave., Norwich, CT 860-887-2479.

Donations may be made to Mona’s House Animal Rescue, 704 Gungywamp Road, Groton, CT 06334.

Karen’s husband wishes to thank the EMTs at the Mohegan Tribe Public Safety, the Backus Hospital Emergency Room team, Life Star, Hartford Hospital’s neurosurgeon team under Dr. Jeffrey Tomlin, and the Bliss 9I ICU team for everything they did to save Karen and comfort her loved ones From June 2nd to June 28th.