Bernice B. LaMontagne, 95, formerly of Lake Drive, Pascoag, died Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at Scalabrini Villa in East Greenwich. She was the widow of Fernand E. LaMontagne, DMD.
Born in Providence and the daughter of the late Charles and Georgianna (Plante) Alarie. She had lived in North Providence for 20 years before moving to Pascoag.
Bernice was a key punch operator for Grinnell Corporation in her early twenties before her marriage to Ferd. She also enjoyed singing and music. In her early days, she sang at weddings of friends and relatives and her most requested song was “Ave Maria”. As children, we can remember vividly mom having voice lessons on our grandmothers baby grand piano at 15 Metropolitan Road. She would turn out to be a sought after opera singer, on occasion singing at weddings, and social gatherings. One of her favorite composers was Puccini. She sang Madame Butterfly, LaBoheme, and Tosca. She used her singing talent in the choir at St Joseph’s parish in Burrillville RI where she was a parishioner.
Bernice, after having raised her six children started golfing and was frequently seen practicing her driving swing in her backyard at the lake. She became a member of Glocester Country Club and played in their Women’s Golf league with a group of friends. She enjoyed Watercolors, and Tole Painting. She was an avid skier and travelled weekly to New Hampshire to ski the slopes of Brenton Woods with family and friends. After a wintery afternoon on the mountain she and Ferd enjoyed cooking for family and friends not far from a open fire in their “Snow Chalet.” Bernice was a gourmet cook and baker and was a significant contributor in the food preparation for The Pascoag Gastronomic Society. Her famous Kiss Pie was unforgettable by the gastronomes at these events. She was an amazing seamstress who passed down her passion and skill to her 4 daughters and continues in her grandchildren.
She is survived by her children: Jane L. Shaw, of East Greenwich, Susan P. Scalera, of Lempster, NH, Barbara A. Jarzombek, of Ashaway, Paula J. Mealy of Plainville, MA, David J. LaMontagne of Oakland, Peter J. LaMontagne of Harrisville, her seventeen grandchildren, 11 Great grandchildren and her sister, Lillian Dodd of Smithfield.
Her funeral will be held Saturday at 8am from the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Rt 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 9:30am in St. Joseph Church, 183 Sayles Avenue, Pascoag. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. A visitation will be Friday 4-7pm In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Our Lady of Good Health Conference, c/o St. Vincent de Paul Society, P.O. Box 424, Mapleville, RI 02839.