Rita Marie (Gareau) LaPierre
Rita Marie (Gareau) LaPierre, 85, of Tiffany Street, Attleboro and more recently of Canterbury Woods, Garfield Avenue, Attleboro and Christopher Heights, South Main Street, Attleboro, died on Saturday, January 5, 2008 at the Madonna Manor Nursing Home in North Attleboro where she had been a brief resident from complications due to Alzheimer’s disease. She was the wife of the late Emil Charles “Babe” LaPierre to whom she was married on November 29, 1941 and entered into eternal rest on February 9, 1985.
Born in Quebec, Canada on February 24, 1922, she was a daughter of the late Leo Joseph Gareau, Sr. and Rosanna (Rougeau) Gareau. She and her family immigrated to the United States when she was one year old and settled in the City of Attleboro where she remained a lifelong resident.
Raised and educated in Attleboro, Mrs. LaPierre attended Attleboro public schools but left during her junior year of high school to enter the work force so her mother would be able to leave her job and stay at home and dedicate her time to Mrs. LaPierre’s younger brother, Leo.
In previous years, Mrs. LaPierre was a communicant of St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church in the Dodgeville section of Attleboro.
Although her primary purpose was to be a dedicated and devoted homemaker to her husband and children, she was actively involved in her husband’s business ventures. The couple ran Co-Ed Optical and later founded World Wide Optical, a company that produced optical findings, in 1960 in North Attleboro. After her husband’s death in 1985 the company remained a family owned and operated business for decades with Mrs. LaPierre retiring in 1988. During her tenure with the family-run operation, she had a variety of duties and responsibilities including general clerical work, accounting tasks and even working within the factory.
She enjoyed the times she was able to travel with her husband on business trips and attending his Army reunions.
Her family recalls with love and fondness a woman who lived her life as a “giver”.
Mrs. LaPierre was a longtime advocate for the elderly and often volunteered her time assisting and visiting many local people who were alone in their homes or in nursing homes.
Her husband was an active member of the Attleboro Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks – Lodge #1014 and was a past exalted ruler of the club and Mrs. LaPierre dedicated much of her time to the organization over the years.
At home she loved to cook, bake and crochet. Her enjoyable interests included the time spent playing bingo.
A member of numerous local organizations, Mrs. LaPierre often donated time, money and items to assist local groups with fundraising efforts to improve the lives of those in the community needing a little bit of help.
Her proudest accomplishment was that of raising four wonderful children and, in later years, the pride of acknowledging her ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren’s triumphs and successes.
She leaves four children: Robert J. LaPierre of North Attleboro; Linda T. Dussault and her husband, Charles Dussault, of Taunton; Yvonne M. LaPlume and her husband, William LaPlume, of Attleboro and Nancy A. McKinnon and her husband, Steven McKinnon, of Mashpee; a brother: Leo J. Gareau, Jr. and his wife, Doreen (Davison) Gareau of Sutton, New Hampshire and their family: Crystal, Renee and Tucker; ten grandchildren: Chris Dussault of Bennington, New Hampshire; Greg LaPlume of Attleboro; Amy Freeman of Raynham; Michelle LaPlume of Franklin, New Hampshire; Nicole LaPlume of Plainville; Melissa Card of New York City, New York; Michael Dussault of Los Angeles, California; Daniel LaPlume of Plainville; Monique LaPlume of Attleboro and Emily LaPlume of Attleboro; ten great grandchildren: Kelsey Dussault of Bennington, New Hampshire; Hannah Pilling of Franklin, New Hampshire; Aidan Nikolais of Franklin, New Hampshire; Logan LaPlume of Attleboro; Kayla LaPlume, Brianna LaPlume, Morgan LaPlume and Nathan LaPlume all of Attleboro and Hannah Freeman and Hunter Freeman both of Raynham and several extended family members and friends.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Wednesday morning, January 9, 2008 from 9:00 – 10:45 AM in the “Memorial Chapel” of the DYER-LAKE FUNERAL HOME, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.
Funeral services will be held at the conclusion of visitation on Wednesday morning, January 9, 2008 at 11:00 AM in the “Memorial Chapel” of the DYER-LAKE FUNERAL HOME, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, ¾ mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro.
Burial will follow in St. Stephen’s Cemetery, Attleboro.
Following cemetery services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments at a location to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mrs. LaPierre’s name may be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472 or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, P. O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.
To send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit an on-line register book located on the internet at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the DYER-LAKE FUNERAL HOME, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro
(508) 695-0200.
