Mrs. Beatrice "Bea" (Pastorella) LaPlante

Mrs. Beatrice A. “Bea” (Pastorella) LaPlante, age 75, of Utica, passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center with the love and support of her family by her side. Born in Utica on February 16, 1935, Beatrice was the daughter of the late Nicholas and Beatrice (Coviello) Pastorella. She was raised and educated locally. On June 26, 1954 she married Gerald J. “Jerry” LaPlante, Sr. with whom she shared 44 years in a close and loving union until his passing on September 21, 1998. Bea was dedicated to her vocation of caring for her husband, children, and home. She was a beloved matriarch who delighted in being in the presence of her family. She was a strong yet very soft-hearted woman whose door was always open and who always went out of her way to comfort others in need. She held a special adoration for Christmas and looked forward to decorating with detail and making the holidays memorable for the children. She enjoyed the amity of her “neighborhood coffee clubs”, and served as a member of the Frankfort Center Volunteer Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary. She found peace and pleasure in her annual camping trip to Sixth Lake with her family. Bea was a parishioner of St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church. Beatrice is survived by her daughter, Michelle R. LaPlante of Utica; her sons and daughters-in-law, Gerald J., Jr. and Marie LaPlante of TX, Kevin and Jean LaPlante of Oriskany, David and Karen LaPlante of Jacksonville, FL, Darren LaPlante of Utica, the loving memory of her son, Jason Scott “Jay” LaPlante, who preceded her in death on August 19, 2007, and Chad and Lisa LaPlante of Utica; her grandchildren, Melissa, Denise, Heather, and Nicole LaPlante; Matthew LaPlante and Kaitlyn LaPlante; Kristen and Mike Decker; Danielle LaPlante; and Paige Frances LaPlante; and her many cherished great-grandchildren. Survivors also include her sisters and brother-in-law, Antoinette Smith, Mary and Pat Polera, and Anna Stores, all of Utica; her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and in-laws, Diane Pastorelli, and Rose Pastorella, both of Utica, Jack LaPlante of Fulton, and Sandy Pastorelli of NJ. She also leaves her dear neighbors, Karen, Sharon, Mary Jane, Theresa, June, and Kelly, with whom she shared a loving relationship. She was predeceased by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Jennie and John “Jack” Gerstner, Jr., and Josephine T. and Joseph C. Cannerelli; her brothers, Achille, Anthony, Alfred, Ralph, Gerald, and Nicholas, Jr. Pastorella; her grandson, Michael LaPlante; and her in-laws, Thomas LaPlante, Eleanor and Neal Parkhurst, Gerald, Jr. and June LaPlante, James J. Stores, Dawn and Richard Proulx, Sr., and Evelyn LaPlante. The family extends gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the 4th floor at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center for the compassionate care and concern they extended to Bea. Visitation will be held Monday (today) from 4:00-7:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Beatrice’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will commence on Tuesday morning at 9:30 from the funeral home and at 10:30 at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Anthony P. LaFache. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Mrs. Beatrice "Bea" (Pastorella) LaPlante

February 16, 1935 - October 20, 2010