Mary Lapalme

Mary (Bowen) (Hart) LaPalme departed this life peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 4, 2026 after achieving the age of 88. Mary was born in Plainfield, Connecticut on December 27, 1937, the sixth child born to May (Evans) and Whitman Bowen. Throughout her life Mary touched the hearts of all who knew her with kindness, generosity and unwavering sense of compassion. Mary grew up in Plainfield. She attended St John's School, the Putman Academy and graduated Plainfield High School in 1955. After high school Mary married the love of her life Arthur (Archie) Hart and they settled in "God's Country", Canterbury, Connecticut where they bought a home and had three children.

Mary Hart worked part time for many years in the lunchroom at Dr. Helen Baldwin School. She loved working with and feeding the many children of Canterbury. Archie and Mary were involved with the Canterbury Fire Company, they were founding members of the Central Cycle Club, and they enjoyed square dancing on the weekends. With deep sorrow, Archie passed away in 1974 after a brief illness, leaving Mary to raise their three children. At this time Mary took full-time employment with the State of Connecticut (UCONN) food service in Storrs as a breakfast assistant cook. She enjoyed many years feeding students and student athletes at many dining halls all around campus and married the late Eugene (George) LaPalme. She loved working at UCONN and never missed cheering on every UCONN basketball team. After 20 years' service and several promotions Mary retired as a Chief Dining Hall Supervisor.

Mary was a cherished mother of three children. She is survived by her daughter Diana Hart Saunders of New London, her son Charles (Chuck) Hart and daughter-in-law Cathleen Hart of Vernon, and her son-in-law John Sullivan of Canterbury. She reluctantly and lovingly leaves three grandchildren, Randall Sullivan, Cassandra (Sullivan) Wright and Elizabeth (Saunders) Wegeler and one very special and much-loved great grandson, Casmir Charles Sullivan. She is survived by many nieces, nephews and friends who will deeply miss her Facebook presence, text messages and her hand at cards. Mary is pre-deceased by her beloved daughter Patricia (Pat) Sullivan, all seven siblings: Helen Banovich, Barbara Plassman, Jean Shutsky, Pauline Urgell, Robert Bowen, Tom Bowen and Irene Nicol. Mary is also pre-deceased by both husbands.

Throughout her life, Mary dedicated herself to family, friends and food service. She enjoyed traveling, cookbooks, recipes and playing card games. In her last five years, Mary was fortunate to become a part of the Solstice Adult community in Groton. Through the book club, bingo and nightly card games she developed many wonderful friendships. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, work ethic and love of family. Mary's legacy will live on in the lives she touched and the memories she created.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 1PM at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church in Canterbury, Connecticut where friends and family are invited to gather and honor Mary's life and memory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mary's name to the Canterbury Historical Society, PO Box #2, Canterbury, CT 06331. Burial will be on a later date and will be private.

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