Beverly Lalande

On March 13, 2011 , Beverly Lalande of Saranac Lake, New York died with husband, Phil and daughter, Tammy beside her.

Born in Bloomingdale, New York on May 26, 1937, she was the daughter of Hubert and Jennie (Cairins) Downs.

After attending Albany Business College, she returned to Saranac Lake to marry the love of her life Philip Lalande. They married on September 12, 1959 at St. Paul's Church in Bloomingdale, NY.

Her nurturing spirit lead her to teach at the First Presbyterian Nursery School; before she began her 25 years as owner of the Olympic Arena Pro Shop. Later she combined her love of children with her passion for figure skating volunteering many years as President of the Skating Club of Lake Placid .Joining her husband’s enthusiasm for the Saranac Lake Civic Center, Beverly was the pioneer in creating the Saranac Lake Figure Skating Academy. Her mission was to encourage and enable every child to pursue their dreams on ice. Beverly lived to witness the fulfillment of her mission.

She is survived by her husband Philip, one daughter Tammy Lalande of Saranac Lake, NY, two sisters Helen Merkel of Palm Springs, FL, and Ardeth Wiles of Palm Springs, FL and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, mother, two sisters Bethel LaPoint and Doris Downs and two brothers Ernest and Hubert Downs.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Friday, March 18, 2011 from 2PM -4PM and 7PM - 9PM. A funeral service will take place at 12:00 PM on Saturday March 19, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church in Saranac Lake with the Rev. Derek Spain and the Rev. Michael Richards officiating. Burial will take place at St. Bernard Cemetery in Saranac Lake in May.

Friends wishing to remember Beverly Lalande may make memorial contributions to Saranac Lake Figure Skating Academy in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.