Joyce LaVair, age 74, formerly of Lake Clear, NY died Saturday,
December 18, 2010 at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.
Born in Saranac Lake, New York on September 26, 1936, she was the daughter of Acil John and Anna (Deming) Bomyea. Joyce married Donald E. LaVair on October 2, 1954 in St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Saranac Lake. Donald predeceased her on December 12, 1997.
Joyce was a life long resident of the area and had been employed at the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake from 1984 until her retirement in 2001. Prior to that she had worked at several places including the Shoe and Dress Factory in Saranac Lake. Joyce loved walking hikes at the Visitors Interpretive Center, having her children and grandchildren around her and taking her dog Cassidy for walks. She loved to draw with pencils, pastels and painting with oils. Joyce also enjoyed going to local concerts and taking trips to see her sister Sharon and son Donald in Michigan.
She is survived by two daughters Lorraine Swinyer of Tupper Lake, NY, and Donna Besaw and her husband Robert of Vermontville, NY, two sons Don Edward LaVair, Jr. and his wife Sara of Michigan, and Billy LaVair and his wife Regan of Lake Clear, NY, two sisters Sharon Bodley of Chittenango, NY, and Darlene Bourne of PA, 9 grandchildren April, Megan, Wayne, Robbie, Kerri, Cathy, Connor, Garrett and Brooke, several great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, one son Ronald LaVair, two sisters Barbara Traux and Hilda Sawyer and two brothers John Bomyea, and Paul Bomyea and grandaughter Amanda.
Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A memorial service will immediately follow on Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM with Rev. Mark Reilly officiating. Burial will take place at St. John's Cemetery in Lake Clear in the spring.
Friends wishing to remember Joyce LaVair may make memorial contributions to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital or American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guest book at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.