Karen Marie LeBlanc

Karen Marie (Hoover) LeBlanc, of Natick, passed away unexpectedly Friday, February 13, 2026 at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge. She was 65.

Born in Waltham in 1960, Karen was daughter of the late Henry M. and Claire M. (Copan) Hoover. She was raised and educated in Waltham and was a graduate of Waltham High School.

Known for her thrifty and crafty nature, Karen had the remarkable ability to make the most out of little, skillfully managing her home with ingenuity and care. She cherished simple joys, such as freshwater fishing with her brothers, whom she loved dearly. Above all, Karen was an extraordinary mother and grandmother: loving, incredibly selfless, and amazingly resilient. She poured her heart into her family, always putting others first, and was cherished as the best grandmother in the world by her grandchildren. Karen also held a special place in her heart for her beloved cat “Baby” who brought her great comfort and companionship.

For the last 25 years, she worked at Arteriors in Natick, a small family-owned company specializing in custom architectural finishes, faux finishes, decorative painting, and murals. There, she collaborated with owners Ami and Stephanie to create stunning works that brought grand buildings to life. As a self-taught artist, Karen brought her natural talent and passion for creativity to every endeavor.

Karen was predeceased by her son, the late Denis LeBlanc, and her brother, the late Michael Hoover.

She leaves her son, Douglas LeBlanc of Marlborough and his partner Liz Francis; her daughter, Sandra (LeBlanc) Marshall and her husband Rashead Marshall of Waltham; her grandchildren, Aaliyah Marshall and Rasheed Marshall; her brothers, Donald Hoover and his wife Marie of Brimfield and Wayne Hoover of Waltham; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Karen with a celebration of life gathering at The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, March 9^th from 4-7 p.m. Burial will be held at Mount Feake Cemetery in Waltham at a time to be determined.

Memorial donations may be made in Karen's name to the American Heart Association.