Barbara J. Lavallee

SUTTON-Barbara J. (White) Lavallee, 75, passed away Wednesday, September 4, 2024 in UMASS Medical Center.

Her husband and childhood sweetheart, Frank W. Lavallee passed away in 1995. 

She leaves, three biological children, Holly T. and her husband, John J. Ricard, Jr. of Oxford, Angelina M. and her husband, Nicholas P. Gleason of Millbury and Jason D. and his wife, Erica Diaz of Worcester; three sisters, Janice Marando of Sutton, June Karas of Brookfield and Bernice Brown of Brookfield; fifteen biological grandchildren, Jenniffer, Matthew, Ricardo, Teresa, Mackenzie, Catherine-Rose, Riley, Taj, Ale, Jasmine, Jaxson, Annajean, Grayson, and Memphis and their respective families; three biological great-grandchildren, Ganelli, Anora, and Juni; multiple step-children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and her best-friend, Diane Vanderhoof of Sutton. Four siblings, Ralph White, Jr., Lee White, Joan Paquette, and Shirley Saldana predeceased her. 

She was born in Worcester, daughter of Ralph S. and Dorothy (Webster) White and attended Sutton Schools.

She was strong, independent and Feisty. She was an attendee of Valley Chapel Church in Uxbridge. In her years she became a certified PCA and worked at a local nursing home. She also worked at Johnny's Used Articles and the Worcester Flea Market. She was Co-Leader of Girl Scout Group 35015 in Worcester for many years.

Barbara loved animals, in the 1970's and 1980's she bred and sold American Kennel Club registered dogs and cats. She had a love for fishing, even as a youngster, Barbara would be found fishing in the brook across the street of her childhood home in Sutton. As an adult, she was known to bring her children and grandchildren fishing and to feed the geese at area lakes and ponds and loved to do crafts with them.

She was a self-taught painter and credited Bob Ross with helping her along the way..

As a child, Barbara was very friendly and outgoing, making friends everywhere she went. She has always enjoyed music, singing and listening to karaoke, and in her earlier years, she took accordion lessons in which she loved to play for all to hear. She loved to crochet, making many afghans and pieces of clothing throughout the years.

Barbara overcame cancer in the mid 2000's and was a proud fighter of the difficult disease. 

The family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses and PCAs at UMASS Medical Center's 7th floor ICU and 5th floor Pulmonary Floor, for their loving and compassionate care to both Barbara and her family during her hospitalization. To include Barbara's lung doctor, Doctor Anna Rudnicki who ensured that Barbara was fully informed and felt comfortable with all medical care and decisions.

Visiting Hours are Wednesday, September 11 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Callahan Fay Caswell Lindquist Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester. 

A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, September 12 at 10:00am in the Funeral Home. 

A burial will follow in Old Howard Cemetery, Sutton, concluding with a celebration of life at the Dudley Gendron Legion Hall in Sutton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Second Chance Animal Services, 111 Young Rd., East Brookfield, MA 01515 or www.secondchanceanimals.org