Karen D'Auria

Karen Ruppel D’Auria, 67, of Ocala, Florida passed away on May 6, 2024 from complications resulting from chemotherapy treatment. Karen was born to Dolores (Abramski) Ruppel and Robert Anthony Ruppel on November 6, 1956 in Queens, New York City. Karen graduated from Danbury High School in 1974. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Connecticut in 1979. She received her Masters degree in Education from UConn in 1985. Karen worked as a mathematics teacher at Norwich Free Academy for 37 years, retiring in June 2015.

Karen exhibited great love and adoration for her family and will be greatly missed. She was an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher who enjoyed every chance meeting of a former student. She had a will of iron and determination that drove her to the top of all endeavors. Karen was a high school cheerleader and class valedictorian who loved sports and academics. She was a passionate UConn Huskies basketball fan who would never miss a March Madness game. She was a fashionista that left a marked impression on her students. Karen had a strong faith in God and had rarely missed a Catholic Mass.

Karen is survived by her husband of 42 years, Gregory L. D’Auria of Ocala, FL; daughter Katherine Sheppard, with husband, Micah Sheppard, and grandchildren, Jeremy and Eva Sheppard, of Norwich, CT; daughter Jessica Ninteau, of Colchester, CT; daughter Michelle D’Auria, of New London, CT; sister Barbara (John) Stefan, and nephew, Jonathan, of Port St Lucie, FL; sister Diane Ruppel, of Danbury, CT; brother Ron (Maureen) Ruppel, and nieces Danielle Schaefer of Gainesville, FL, and Megan Ruppel of Tampa Bay, FL; brother Bill (Jennifer) Ruppel, of Ocala, FL, and nephews Robert and Nicholas Ruppel, of Tampa Bay and Ocala, FL. Her parents predeceased her in death.

There will be a wake held on Friday, May 10, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Ave, Norwich, CT. A noon Catholic Funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, at Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 70 W Main St, Baltic, CT. Private interment will be at Maplewood Cemetery, 184 Salem Turnpike, Norwich, CT, at a later date.