Karen M. Brodnicki, 82, a resident of The Commons in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and formerly of Bourne, Massachusetts, and Snyder, New York (a village within the city of Amherst, a suburb of Buffalo), passed away peacefully at home on June 18, 2026, following a courageous 28-month battle with cancer.

Born in Auburn, New York, on October 24, 1943, Karen was the eldest daughter of the late Dr. Clarence Sanford and Margaret (Bolger) Sanford. She grew up in and around Buffalo, New York as her father completed his medical education and established his career.

Karen graduated from Bennett High School and went on to study English Literature at the University at Buffalo. While working on the student newspaper, she was introduced by a fellow staff member to a young mathematician and engineer from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a blind date for a Canisius High School alumni reunion dance. What began as a chance meeting blossomed into a lifelong love story, and Karen married Paul J. Brodnicki in Buffalo in 1965. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, friendship, community, and especially their love for the New York Yankees. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last August.

The couple first made their home in Williamsville, New York, before settling in Snyder, where they raised their family, first on Sargent Drive, then later at the home they built on Livingston Parkway, where they lived for more than thirty years. Karen was deeply involved in the life of Christ the King Parish, serving as a Sunday school teacher and, alongside Paul, as a Eucharistic Minister. She was an active and devoted member of both the parish and Amherst Central School communities, generously sharing her time, faith, and commitment to others.

Karen became a licensed Optician and spent nearly twenty years LensCrafters at the Walden Galleria Mall where she became known for her expertise, style, wit, warmth, and genuine care for her colleagues and customers. Even after retirement, she continued helping family, friends and fellow residents with their eyewear needs, sharing her knowledge generously whenever she could.

Following retirement, Karen and Paul fulfilled their longtime dream of living on Cape Cod, spending more than a decade in the Harbor Hills community in Bourne before relocating to The Commons in Lincoln to be closer to their daughter's family.

Family was always at the center of Karen's life. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and an adoring grandmother whose unwavering support, kindness, and generosity touched family members and friends alike. For nearly five decades, the Brodnicki family spent summers vacationing in and around the Brewster Park area of Cape Cod, creating treasured memories that became a cherished family tradition.

Karen will be remembered not only for her devotion to family and friends, but also for her sharp intellect, quick wit, and self-deprecating sense of humor. She had a gift for finding laughter and joy in everyday situations. She also possessed an extraordinary memory and a remarkable command of facts, history, and pop culture. Whether gathered around the table for Trivial Pursuit or watching Jeopardy! from her favorite loveseat, Karen's family learned never to underestimate her encyclopedic knowledge. Her uncanny ability to recall the most obscure details made her a formidable competitor and a beloved source of amazement and amusement for her children and grandchildren.

Karen is survived by her beloved husband of nearly sixty-one years, Paul J. Brodnicki; her daughter, Gretchen and her husband Paul of Waban, Massachusetts; her son Paul and his wife Catherine “Casey” Doran of Cincinnati, Ohio; and her five cherished grandchildren: Elizabeth "Libby" Brodnicki, Julia "Jules" Brodnicki, Thomas “Tommy” Morgan, Kayla Morgan, and Paul James “PJ” Brodnicki, III. She is also survived by her sister, Gretchen Bohmaker and brother-in-law Robert “Bo” Bohmaker of Queensbury, New York, her aunts, Kay (Sanford) Ryan of Bridgeport, New York and Ellen Bolger of Hornell, New York, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Karen's life will be held at The Commons in Lincoln in late July. Details regarding the date and time will be announced. Interment will be held privately at the Brewster Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Karen's memory may be made to the Lank Cancer Center of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center of Needham.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.