Gympie woman Karen Lennard remembered as Wide Bay ‘hero’

Even Federal Parliament felt the pain and paid tribute this week to a beloved Gympie woman and ‘humble hero’ who died after a courageous, eight-year-battle with ovarian cancer. Watch the video and read what those who loved her had to say:

Tributes are flowing for a beloved Gympie “hero”, wife, mother, grandmother and family business owner, who sadly passed away on Monday after battling ovarian cancer for the past eight years.

Karen Lennard, wife of Andy Lennard and co-owner of Lennard Drilling, died on Monday, November 29, at the age of 56.

Karen Lennard, 02/10/1966 – 29/11/2021. Photo: Andy Lennard.

Those who loved her are preparing to celebrate her life at a special funeral this Friday.

Karen was always a vibrant and active member of the Gympie community, involved in everything from swimming lessons at the Gympie aquatic centre to the Chatsworth Primary School P & C.

Her devastated husband said on Tuesday “she was one in a million and touched so many lives”.

Andy and Karen were married in 1989, and moved to Chatsworth in 1996, where they started the family business Lennard Drilling in 1999.

Their three daughters, Katie, Jess and Sarah, attended Chatsworth Primary School and later Gympie State High School.

The family lived in the Gympie region until 2015, when they moved to Noosa.

Karen Lennard loved her family, but she also loved her dogs. Pictured here with Jack adopted from RSPCA Noosa.

Karen’s close friends Wendy Boraso and Branka Starcevic described her as a “quiet, humble person” who “always put others first”.

Mrs Boraso said Karen fought hard to see the birth of her first granddaughter Harper in 2019, and fought even harder to nurse her premature twin granddaughters Ruby and Hazel for the first and only time.

“She didn’t get to see them come home,” she said.

“She hung on like crazy.”

Karen Lennard was the "instigator" of the Priscilla crew; a group of Gympie friends fundraising and participating in the Children's Variety Bash. She donated her Kingswood (above) for the group to use. The charity fundraiser was cancelled in 2021 due to Covid but is expected to go ahead in 2022. Photo: Wendy Boraso.

Mrs Boraso said when Karen was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013, she began raising money for research into the disease, raising $11,800 and asking for donations to be made to the Ovarian Cancer Foundation instead of flowers at her funeral.

Of the many things she would miss about Karen, her genuine friendship and familiar laugh would be what she missed most. It was her laugh that earned her the nickname Kak.

Karen’s death has been felt by many. Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien, who met Karen and Andy when they were parents together at Chatsworth School, gave a moving tribute in Canberra this week to his friend.

Karen Lennard from Lennard Drilling in Gympie.

“Karen Lennard was one of Wide Bay‘s humble heroes,” he said.

“Some heroes help, not seeking adoration, not for the accolades, but simply because they care.”

Mr O’Brien said he first met Karen 18 years ago at Chatsworth State School, where she was a member of the P & C board.

He offered his condolences to the Lennard family, and described her as a “beautiful grandmother”.

A funeral will be held for Karen this Friday, December 3, 2021, at Drysdale Funerals at Tewantin.

Originally published as Gympie woman Karen Lennard remembered as Wide Bay ‘hero’