Karen Elizabeth (Chociej) Babcock

Karen Elizabeth (Chociej) Babcock, 41, of Lisbon, CT, passed away at home surrounded by family and friends on February 8, 2026 after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Karen was born in Malden, MA on March 29, 1984 to the late Robert A. (“Bob”) Chociej, Sr. and Susan (MacDonald) Chociej. 

She grew up in Peabody, MA where she played soccer and tennis and took dance lessons. Weekends were spent with her family driving race cars and summers camping in an RV. Karen graduated from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School in 2002. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fitchburg State University, where she met her husband, Matthew G. Babcock. They were married on October 23, 2010 and shared 13 years of marriage before Matt’s passing in 2023. Karen and Matt’s greatest joys were their three beautiful children, Mackenzie, Cameron and Quinn. 

Karen was warm, compassionate, and a natural-born caregiver, all qualities that she brought to her career as a mental health counselor. She was a devoted friend and shared decades of memories with so many cherished loved ones. Karen had a contagious laugh that could bring levity to the hardest of challenges. She loved country music and sunflowers, and was never without her digital camera to capture moments big and small. Karen’s memory will live on in the strength, energy and kindness of her two daughters and son, on the beaches of Westward Shores, and in the cuddles from her French bulldog, Benny.

In addition to her children, Karen is survived by her mother, Susan, of Peabody, MA, brother Robert Jr. (“Bobby”) and his wife Jennifer of Topsfield, MA, and nephew Aiden, parents-in-law Kevin and Nancy Babcock of Jewett City, CT, and sister-in-law Mallory Babcock of Voluntown, CT., along with countless loved ones and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Matthew G. Babcock and her father, Robert A. Chociej, Sr., as well as her grandparents John A. and Gretchen E. MacDonald, and cousins Jason P. McGondel, Zachary P. MacDonald and Jack W. Quindley. 

Arrangements: Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours at Gagne-Piechowski Funeral Home, 490 Voluntown Road, Jewett City, CT on Thursday, February 12, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, 248 Broadway, Norwich, CT., at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 13, 2026. 

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