Marie (Brooks) LaPlante

Hatfield, MA - Marie (Brooks) LaPlante, 66, of Hatfield, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on Saturday October 26, 2024. She was born in Northampton on February 21, 1958, to the late Donald Brooks and Mathilda (Dorsch) Brooks of Hatfield.

She was a graduate of the former St. Michael's School and had worked as a Rehabilitation Tech and most recently an activities assistant for CareOne at Northampton for 40 years before retiring in June. She always had a positive and upbeat attitude, her coworkers shared how kind, and caring Marie always was and would go above and beyond for all her residents.

Marie enjoyed camping, hiking, kayaking, gardening, puzzles, playing board and card games. She took joy in baking, sewing, listening to Christian music and was an avid Elvis fan, she had an adoration for pets, but most of all she loved spending time with her family.

She was a communicant of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Hatfield where she served as Eucharistic Minister, sang in the choir, and was the CCD program director. Marie was such a devote catholic, that she became a member of the Dominican Laity #103. She was very proactive with the Lay Dominican community where she was the former president for 3 years.

She is survived by her mother, Mathilda (Dorsch) Brooks of Hatfield, her loving children, her son, Aaron Blanchette and his wife Lorelei, of Williamsburg, her daughters, Pamela Hodges and her husband Shawn, of Williamsburg, and Lisa Blanchette of Hatfield, 8 grandchildren, her brothers, Michael Brooks of Zebylon, NC, Chris Brooks of St. Petersburg, FL, David Tatro of Sandusky, OH, her sister, Linda Lastowski of Huntington, her uncle, Fr. Henry Dorsch of Hatfield, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Besides her father Donald Brooks, she was predeceased by her husband Gerald LaPlante, who sadly passed away in 2021, and her brother Peter Brooks.

Calling hours will be held Sunday, November 3, 2024, from 4PM to 7PM at the DROZDAL FUNERAL HOME OF NORTHAMPTON. Funeral services will begin on Monday, November 4, 2024 from the Drozdal Funeral Home at 9AM, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10AM in Our Lady of Grace Church, Hatfield. Burial with be at a later date in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Our Lady of Grace Church, 11 School St., Hatfield, MA 01038 or to Dominican Monastery, C/O Dominican Laity #103 Mother of God Chapter, 1430 Riverdale St., W. Springfield, MA 01089.

For more information, or to leave the family a personal condolence, please visit Drozdalfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Hampshire Gazette on Oct. 30, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Marie LaPlante

9 Entries

Bethann Ells

November 4, 2024

Pam-I am so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. She was such a kind person with a contagious smile!
Please know that I am thinking of you and your family during this very difficult time.
-Bethann Ells

Linda Hurley

November 1, 2024

I am sad to hear of the passing of Marie. Peace to all of you. I have great memories. I remember the barbies on the ping ball table. I remember playing ping pong. Many other small adventures.

Sharon Bannister

October 31, 2024

Well done good and faithful servant. Marie was a beautiful Christian, full of love and laughter.

Frances & Bill Hurley

October 30, 2024

What a beautiful photo of Marie. To Arron, Pam, Lisa and the entire Brooks family. So sorry for the loss of your mom, sibling, aunt, grandmother and child. Wanted you to know Marie is in our thoughts and prayers. May she rest in peace and be reunited with those who have gone before her. God Bless

Jessica Nally

October 30, 2024

Marie took care of my stepfather when he was at care one sounds like a really fantastic nice lady. Thank you for taking such good care of my stepdad Francis. Rest in peace love Jessica.

Laurie Korza

October 30, 2024

My deepest sympathies to Marie's family. I worked with Marie for many , many years in the rehab field and she always had a bright smile, cheerful quip and positive attitude in what was some of the darkest times for patients in a health care facility. I can definitely say that she made patients' and residents' lives brighter when she walked in the room. May she rest in peace and join those that left before her.

Sandy (Pickunka) Bailey

October 30, 2024

My sincere condolences to the entire family. This is so heartbreaking for all of you. I know how much fun we had in our youth and later how much my mom loved having her for a neighbor. I am thinking of all of you and hoping as time heals you will remember all the good times we all shared.

Shauneen Kocot

October 30, 2024

I went to St. Michael´s with Marie. She was quiet in the early years, but she shined later.
I loved running into her at either Big Y or her work. There was always a laugh!
My sincere condolences to her family.
Shauneen O´Donnell Kocot

Lisa Kovalski Santos

October 30, 2024

So sorry to hear of Marie´s passing. I was always fond of her. She was not only a cousin, but my first babysitter. I still have great memories of our dance parties while my parents(Connie & Chuck) were out. My sincere condolences to all.

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