Eileen Laplante

Eileen (Gen) Madden LaPlante, age 87 of 185 Old Military Road. Lake Placid, passed away peacefully Thursday, October 29, 2020, at Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid and God has finally granted her wish to be with Bob after 9 long, lonely years of living without him.

Born in Saranac Lake, New York on March 21, 1933, she was the daughter of Francis and Lillian Colburn Madden of Lake Colby. She attended and graduated from St. Bernard’s in 1948 and Saranac Lake High School Class of 1952. Eileen married Robert C. LaPlante on September 13, 1954 in St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake, by the Rev. Vernon Doe.

Eileen worked for the Boy Scouts, American Management Association (AMA), Ames Department Store in the jewelry department, BOCES and the Saranac Lake school system.

She is survived by her son and daughter in law Lee (Leslie) LaPlante of Ray Brook. Daughter’s Lynn Frost (and roommate Michele Forero) of Baltimore, Maryland and Judy (Tom) Sheldrake of Palm Coast, Florida. Six grand- children, Matthew LaPlante of Saranac Lake, whom she devoted her later life to. Tim (Stephanie) Frost of Ellicott City, Maryland, Jayme (Robert) Hysler of Jacksonville Florida, Krista (Fred) Dorrance of Reisterstown, Maryland, Dylan Sheldrake and Paige Sheldrake of Palm Coast Florida.

Eight great grand-children: Jordan and Deklin Frost, Aiden, Emma, Lillian and Conner Hysler, Kayla and Freddie Dorrance. One Sister, Sister Carolyn Madden of Lake Colby. Three nieces and 3 nephews.

Renee Clark, devoted, dedicated, adopted daughter, not only Matthew’s care-giver for over 20 years, but provided love, support and assistance for Bob and Eileen.

Eileen wanted to be remembered for her love and devotion to her first born grand-child, Matthew whom she raised for 34 years, the last 5 years without the assistance of her loving husband.

She enjoyed family gatherings, visits to her sister’s house in NH, weekend camping trips, and outings at the family camp. She was grateful to attend all six of her grandchildren’s high school graduations, two of their college graduations and two weddings.

She was predeceased by her parents, Francis and Lillian, her brother Tom, sisters Helen and Elizabeth (Betty) and her beloved husband Robert who went to sleep for a while June 17, 2011, of almost 57 years.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Will Rogers, the Saranac Lake Voluntary Health Center and to the CNA’s on unit 1, the Activities and Therapy Departments of Elderwood.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake, NY on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 from 5 to 7. A mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake on Wednesday, November 4th, with Rev. Paul Kelly officiating, Burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Saranac Lake. Family and friends attending in person calling hours and funeral services are asked to please follow all COVID-19 recommendations including social distancing and wearing a mask. Due to extenuating circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic the LaPlante family understands that it may make it difficult to attend for those unable to attend the funeral service will also be webcast on Fortune-Keough Funeral Homes Facebook page.

Due to COVID-19, a celebration of her life will be scheduled for a later date this summer.

Family and friends can share their memories, video condolences, written condolences at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eileen’s honor should be made to the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center in Plattsburgh, NY.