Carol Ann Lepkowski

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dear wife and mother, Carol A. (Tousignant) Lepkowski, 60, of Templeton. Carol died peacefully on Thursday, April 4, 2024, in Heywood Hospital, Gardner, after a period of declining health. In her last moments, Carol was listening to her favorite songs and surrounded by the people she treasured the most: her husband of 40 years, James Lepkowski, and her greatest joys and accomplishments, her three children, Jason, Travis, and Jennifer.

Born in Leominster on August 25, 1963, Carol was the daughter of Charles and Margaret (Fike) Tousignant. She attended Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School, where she studied early child development. Carol was an outstanding cheerleader in high school, and this is how she met her future husband, Jim, who was captain of the football team. She and Jim graduated together with the class of 1981 and married in 1983. After graduation, Carol attended Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester.

Carol’s love for people was evident in the careers she chose throughout life. She was the property manager for Meadowbrook Townhouses of Gardner, a switchboard operator at the then Leominster Hospital, and a Communications Dispatcher for the then Tyco Simplex Grinnell Fire alarm systems of Westminster. Her greatest passion and joy was her family. Carol loved being a mother. All the years raising her little ones were her most treasured memories until she became a grandmother! Then, again, she found such pleasure and happiness in all the special moments she shared with her beloved grandchildren.

Carol had a deep love for her golden retrievers throughout the years; they were all special in her heart and dear companions. She also enjoyed her home, which she lovingly decorated for every holiday. Carol’s delicious signature dishes will be missed at any gathering.

Carol will be deeply mourned by her entire family. She possessed a remarkably sweet personality and was such a loving person, loved back dearly by all.

Besides her parents, Carol is survived by her husband, James Lepkowski of Templeton; two sons, Jason Lepkowski of Templeton, Travis Adams and his husband Jay of Worcester; a daughter, Jennifer Dowd and her husband Timothy of Greenfield; five grandchildren, Jaime, and Jason James Lepkowski, Bradley, Levi, and Natalie Dowd; three sisters, Margaret Chriss and her husband Joe of Florida, Patricia Delisle and her husband Paul of Leominster, and Catherine Kalisz of Maryland; two brothers, Charles Tousignant and his wife Denise of Gardner and Fred Tousignant and his wife Diane of Fitchburg; her mother-in-law, Natalie Bell; and a crowd of nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be a Celebration of Life in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gardner Animal Shelter, c/o Gardner Police Department, 200 Main Street, Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Carol A. Tousignant.