Karen “Kono” (Barney) Osoway Obituary

Karen “Kono” (Barney) Osoway attended Norwood-norfolk High School in Norwood, NY. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Karen “kono” (barney) Osoway.

Graduation Year	Class of 1975
Date of Passing	Jul 19, 2012
About	Age 55 - Madrid - Karen B. Osoway, 55, of 223 Planty Road, peacefully passed away on Thursday afternoon, July 19, 2012, guided by her faith in Jesus and under the care and support of her family, friends, and Hospice. Karen was born February 10, 1957 in Massena, the daughter of John Raymond and Frances Emily Lent Barney. She attended Norwood-Norfolk Central School, graduating in 1975. Karen first married Michael Allen LeBeau on November 15, 1975 at St. Raymond's Catholic Church. He pre-deceased her. On September 29, 1990, she married Richard "Dick" Osoway at their farm in Madrid. They renewed their vows ten years later at the Potsdam Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Ed Darling, officiating. Karen was a longtime businesswoman, first starting Memory Lane at her home and various craft fairs before moving to a storefront operation on Elm Street in Potsdam in March 1991. She operated there for five years before moving to Market Street. She later moved her business to the St. Lawrence Centre Mall, where she continued to provide her wonderful talents and products until her retirement in 2012. Karen's legacy will continue through the new owners. In November 2011, she was award the Woman of the Year by the St. Lawrence County Chapter of NYS Women. Karen was the epitome of talented and that was evident in her store and with her true passion, painting. In 1994, "God's Grace" began when she painted a nursery dresser for Kim Martin. Her skills and talent became evident to many and grew from that simple dresser to many businesses, churches, colleges, hospitals, and her greatest love - homes. It was in homes, that Karen felt she could let "God's Grace" work to create beautiful masterpieces. Karen was the creative and inspirational partner in her painting business with partner, Joe Sprague. Joe would lay the foundation for her, so she could and would give it the golden touch. It was not only interior painting that she excelled in, she also had a love for painting dolls. She would first make them before painting faces on them to represent a certain personality. As many know, Karen loved to collect antiques, going to flea markets and auctions; Yellow Ware, pottery crocks, and old farm decorating were her favorites and this was evident in her shop, her work, and her home. She also had a great fondness for sewing and collecting buttons. It was true Karen's devotion to her work that she forged many truly invaluable friendships that she carried throughout her life. With her many talents and treasures, her greatest treasure was her family. Her grandchildren were her world and every minute she spent with them was truly heartfelt. Karen loved her Sunday "Dick Drives" with her husband, where they traveled to nowhere in particular, but all roads led back to the farm. Most recently, she enjoyed her new found interest on the computer with Facebook and Pinterest. Karen had a deep faith and belief in Jesus, who has guided her throughout her life in her home, her family, and her church, Grace Community Church in Moira. Karen is survived by her loving husband, Dick; two daughters, Nichole Marie LeBeau Ortiz and her companion, Gilberto Monsanto of Port St. Lucie, Florida and Melissa Rae LeBeau Givens and her husband, Jeremy, of Summerville, South Carolina; her beautiful grandchildren, Alexander Dean "Alex", age 9; Abigail Marie "Abby", age 6; Amelia Rae "Mellie", age 3; Gabriel Monsanto, age 12; and David Martin Michael "Mikey" Ortiz, age 8; and her niece who is like a daughter to her, Kristen Leigh Orlando, currently a student at Champlain College, and her dog, Lizzy. In addition she is survived by Dick's daughter, Kathy Sue Foster and her husband, Kerry of Winthrop, along with their children, Kerry Jr., age 20; Kourtney, age 18; and Kylie, age 16; and her late daughter Priscilla's, companion, Koby Shatraw of Syracuse, and Priscilla's children, Brittney, age 20; Brooke, age 16; and Dylan, age 13. Karen is also survived by her parents, Ray and Fran Barney of Massena; her mother-in-law, Marie LeBeau of Raymondville; her sisters, Maureen Hiliger of Webster, Florida, Michelle "Micki" Weller and Susan Barney, all of Tyler, Texas; her brothers, Kevin and Sue Barney of Hampton, Virginia, and Stephen Barney of Santa Rosa, California, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends. Karen was pre-deceased by her daughter, Priscilla Osoway Trombly on November 5, 2011; her brother, Larry John Barney on August 30, 1979; and her sister, Lauri Jean Flint on February 27, 2011; her brother-in-law, Del Weller on June 25, 2012. Friends may call Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Donaldson Funeral Home, 100 N. Main Street, Massena, where funeral services will be held Monday 11:00 AM with Pastor Rick Sinclair, officiating. A reception will immediately follow the services at the Raymondville Community Hall, Route 56, Raymondville. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Riverside Cemetery, Norwood. In lieu of flowers, Karen requests that a shoebox be packed for a charity close to her heart, Operation Christmas Child. Brochures will be available at the funeral home and Memory Lane and packed boxes may be left at the funeral home or Memory Lane. The family wishes to extend the deepest gratitude and appreciation to Hospice, especially the Oak Team, for their outstanding support and care of Karen during her illness.