Jeanne Ellen Lemay

Jeanne Ellen (LaValley) Lemay, 71 passed away after a lengthy illness on Friday, November 21, 2008 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

She was the wife of the late Joseph Raymond Lemay Sr. (formerly of Ray's Trucking) who died in 1993.

She leaves her four sons and their wife's, Joseph R. Lemay Jr. and Dottie of Fitchburg, Robert Lemay of Leominster, Peter Lemay and Jean of Andover, and Scott Lemay and Melanie of Bolton; 13 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and 1 great grand child; one brother, Forest LaValley and his wife Helen, of Fitchburg; three sisters, Marjorie Avey of Concord, N.H., Marion LeBlanc of Westminster, Katherine Aubuchon and her husband, Victor, of Leominster, and many nieces and nephews.

Jeanne was born on June 17, 1937, in Leominster, a daughter of the late Arthur and Rosa (Degrenia) LaValley. She was educated in Fitchburg at St. Bernard's Schools and graduated from Fitchburg State College earning her Bachelor Degree in Psychology and in 1979 received her Masters Degree in Psychology from Assumption College in Worcester.

Jeanne worked as a private therapist, and worked at the North Central Mass Rehabilitation Center, where she taught private assertiveness training courses for women and also taught assertiveness training classes at Mt. Wachusett Community College, Fitchburg State College and St. Joseph Hospital in Lowell. In 1986, she was appointed as the Executive Director of the Fitchburg Senior Citizens Center and Director of Elderly Affairs for the City of Fitchburg, by then Mayor Bernard Chartrand. During her 18 years as Director she received the Gold Award from the Massachusetts Senior Citizen Director's Association. She was a statewide Officer for the Massachusetts Senior Citizen Directors Association, including the Senior Citizens Directors Regional Association. She was the Founder of the Friends of the Fitchburg Senior Center, a non-profit organization established to provide grants and additional funds to the Senior Center and its many programs. Chosen from among 362 towns, she received an award from the State for being the Most Creative Outstanding Senior Director. She retired in October of 2007 for health reasons.

In her spare time, she was an active member of the Emblem Club, becoming the local then later the Regional President. She will be remembered most for her strength, her devotion to helping the elderly and her love of family, friends and cooking.

Her Funeral was held on Tuesday, Nov.25, from the Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli Funeral Home, 243 Water Street, Fitchburg, with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Bernard's Church, 240 Water Street, Fitchburg, MA.

Burial will follow in the St. Bernard's Cemetery, off St. Bernard's Street, Fitchburg, MA.

Calling hours were held Monday, Nov. 24. in the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Memorial Contributions be made to the Friends of the Fitchburg Senior Citizens' Center, C/O Sandy Craig, 603 Central St., Leominster, Ma. 01453 or may be left at the Funeral Home.