Karen Patricia Leins

February 20, 1973 – November 7, 2022

Karen Patricia Leins, age 49, regretfully passed away on Monday, November 7, 2022. She fought hard against a series of medical challenges to give her family more time to spend with her. She has now gone home to be with the Angels in Heaven.

Born in Queens, NY, “The Queen from Queens” as we used to call her, brought joy into the world from day one. She was the first child of Arthur and Paula Leins. As a child with Down Syndrome, her presence in the lives of her family was one that needed lots of love and patience, and she gave back strength to those that loved her. Karen was able to graduate from American Senior High School, have her Quinceanera – (15th birthday party) and she enjoyed travel to places such as New York, Las Vegas and the Caribbean.

The sound of music always emanated from her bedroom, often the Oldies Station which she always requested to be played on the car radio on family outings, and she loved the music from the movies Grease, Annie and The Wizard of Oz. She was the happiest in her bedroom, filling sheets of paper with neatly hand-written lists of songs, foods, and other themes. Karen enjoyed eating, her favorite food being black beans and rice – reflecting her Cuban side, and she loved going to restaurants.

Throughout her life Karen touched the hearts of family, friends, teachers and caregivers. She could light up the room with her smile and loved to laugh. She had an innocent heart and made the world a better place to live for those who loved her. Though she is gone from this world her spirit will remain forever within the hearts of all the people she touched and all who loved her.

Karen is survived by her mother Paula, her father Arthur, her brothers Andrew and Arthur and his wife Rebecca and her loving stepfather Rafael.

A Gathering of Family and Friends is scheduled on Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 6:00-9:00 PM with Services at 7:00 PM at Boyd -Panciera Family Funeral Care located at 1600 North University Drive, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024.