***Courtesy post for R.W. Walker Funeral Home***
Lita Chauvin Bechard, 98, of Plattsburgh, NY formerly of Beekmantown, passed away on Saturday October 26, 2024 with her family by her side. She was born December 21, 1925 in Hemmingford Quebec, the daughter of Joseph and Gladys (Sample) Perras.
Her family moved to the United States when Lita was 3 years old. In her early years she attended a one room schoolhouse in the Valcour area near Plattsburgh. Her teenage years were during World War II which meant going without many things, but the family managed to get by. She graduated from St John’s Academy in 1944. Lita would go to USO dances at the YMCA, and dance with the soldiers. Famous people use to travel with the USO and entertain the troops. When Carol O’Connor, actor/singer/dancer, came to Plattsburgh with the USO, Lita got to dance with him. She loved to dance. She attended college majoring in home economics at what is now Plattsburgh State University. Before Lita finished college, she met her first husband, Merritt Chauvin. They married in May of 1947 and had seven children. When Merritt passed away in 1973, she got her New York State broker’s license to sell insurance and took over the business he started, The Chauvin Agency. After 22 years of running the business, Lita retired in 1995. In retirement she worked part time at the Plattsburgh State University book store. Lita was a member of the Rouses Point/Champlain Chamber of Commerce, a past president of the Rouses Point/Champlain Kiwanis Club, past president of the Champlain Valley Business and Professional Women’s Club. She was a longtime member of St. John’s church of Plattsburgh.
Lita enjoyed hosting Christmas dinner for as many of her children and grandchildren that were able to come, which usually added up to a couple dozen people. She loved reading, shopping, planting flowers in the spring, going to senior exercise class and flying the American flag. She lived at Pine Harbour Assisted Living her final year and enjoyed socializing with the other residents.
After her first husband’s passing, Lita married Dennis Bechard. Upon his death, she had a companion in Carl Hobbs, who also predeceased her. Lita is also predeceased by her parents, two brothers, Frederick (Ted) Perras, Reginald (Reggie) Perras, and three sisters, Eileen Perras, Suzanne Perras and Shirley Abraham.
Lita is survived by her two sons Gene Chauvin (Anne Pepin), Neil Chauvin (Sue Croney), and five daughters, Jan Byer (John Byer), Donna Fountain (Derrick Fountain), Shelley Facos (Tony Facos), Denise Sharon (Willie Giroux), Christine Tucker (Harry Tucker), thirteen grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be Saturday November 2nd from 9:30am to 11:00am at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh, NY. A Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:30am at St John’s Catholic Church, Oak St. Plattsburgh, NY. Burial will be held on Monday November 4th at 9:00am at St Peter’s Cemetery Plattsburgh, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the NYS Federation of Home Bureaus Scholarship Fund 1 LaPlante Rd West Chazy, NY 12992 or the North Country Honor Flight PO Box 2644 Plattsburgh, NY 12901.
To sign the registry, visit www.rwwalkerfh.com.