Lucille J. LaPlante

Lucille J. (Blouin) LaPlante, age 84, who began her journey toward the heavenly banquet on July 13, 2008, battling cancer and years of dementia, reached the end of her earthly journey on Friday, September 5, 2008, at her family home on the lake.

She was born on December 20, 1923, in Amesbury, a daughter of Emile Blouin, Sr. and Yvonne (Fournier) Blouin. She attended St. Anne's Elementary School in Webster. In 1945, she married Joseph E. LaPlante, Sr. Together, they enjoyed 63 years of wedded bliss.

Besides her husband, she leaves her 5 children, Roger LaPlante, Annette Runciman, Sister Jan LaPlante, Patricia Piniarski, and CSM Retired Joseph LaPlante, Jr.; 8 grandchildren; several great granchildren; a brother, Roland Blouin; two sisters, Rita Strzelewicz and Geraldine Grenier; nieces, nephews and many friends. She was preceded in death by her brothers Emile Blouin, Jr., Arthur, Richard and Victor Blouin, and by her sisters Eva Blouin, Loretta Kuszewski, Adrienne Strzelewicz and Irene Mickiewicz.

Lucille was a devoted member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. She had a passion for all of God's creation; she truly enjoyed stewarding the land around her lake home. She enjoyed social events, including square dancing, family reunions and the Boy Scouts camping on her property. She also played the organ, planted flowers, and fed the birds and ducks. She reminisced often about her farm home where she was raised and which she could see in the distance across Middle Pond on Webster Lake.

With her husband, she devoted much time to veteran events: visiting the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke during the holidays, hosting an annual veterans picnic, and attending Webster-Dudley Veterans Council activities. She traveled to various parts of the country with her husband to help make the Veterans Court of Honor a reality.

To the very end, her dynamic energy, love of life and deep faith permeated her being. Because of her loving care and strong faith, her family grew like a vineyard and has been blessed by the legacy she leaves.

Her funeral will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, September 10, in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 16 East Main Street. Entombment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Boy Scout Troop #173, c/o Martha Kauppinen, 28 Stoneybrook Road, Charlton, MA 01507. In addition, a scholarship will be established in the name of Lucille LaPlante and will be awarded yearly at the Bartlett High School graduation.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School Street.

www.sitkowski-malboeuf.com