Elizabeth "Betty" (O'Connell) Laprade

Greenfield- Elizabeth “Betty” (O’Connell) Laprade, 92, of Greenfield passed away peacefully February 24, 2018 at the Buckley Health Care Center following a period of failing health.  She was born in Greenfield on June 13, 1925, the daughter of William and Jane (Gorey) O’Connell.  

Betty attended local schools, graduating from Greenfield High School and Bay Path Secretarial School. 

She was the clerk and executive secretary for the local Selective Service Board for 27 years and later worked at Pioneer Bank in Greenfield.

She was married to Arthur Laprade until his death in 1993.

She was a devout Catholic and communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church in Greenfield.

Betty loved to travel, enjoying several trips throughout Europe, as well as a cruise through the Panama Canal. She was a dedicated volunteer at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center Gift Shop for many years, greeting everyone who came in or near the shop with a huge hug and smile. Everyone knew Betty, the jolly, helpful volunteer! Her years as chair of the Gift Shop were especially rewarding. Her letters and cards were appreciated by many. 

She will be lovingly remembered for hosting her huge family pool and February Blah parties, serving her famous ham and string bean dinners and her delicious buckeyes.  There were also many happy family Sunday dinners on Ferrante Avenue.  

Betty leaves behind her loving nephew and caregiver, Roger Huard; her loving nephew, Kit Huard; her devoted cousins, David and Sally Ahearn and family; two sister in laws, Ruth (Laprade) Fleury and Dolores (Laprade) Bloch; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends will also celebrate her life.

Besides her husband she was predeceased by her brother John G. O’Connell. 

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Friday 3/2 at 10am at Blessed Sacrament Church, 221 Federal Street, Greenfield with the Rev. Timothy Campoli officiating.  Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Greenfield. 

A calling hour will be held Friday morning from 8:45-9:45am at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 220 Federal Street, Greenfield.  

Betty loved dogs! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter, 10 Sandy Lane, Turners Falls, MA  01376 or to a charity of one’s choice. 

Sympathy message available at www.kostanskifuneralhome.com. 

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