Joan Laporte

Obituary of Joan Laporte On Friday, March 12, 2010, Joan C. Laporte was welcomed home by God after a long and well lived life. She was 85. Born in New Jersey in 1924, Joan was the second daughter of Arthur and Mary Rose Connolly. She was a child of the Depression and, with her family, witnessed our country's involvement in World War II. Indeed, she, like so many women of those days, went to work supporting our country in its hour of great need, working at Bell Laboratories after completing school. Several years later, she met and married Alphonse A. Laporte, Lt. Col. USMC and the couple had two sons, Thomas G. Laporte of Elmsford, New York, and Anthony L. Laporte, of Houston, Texas. During those years, Joan found herself stationed with her family in a variety of spots in the southern hemisphere, including Haiti and Cuba. It was in Cuba, uniquely, during the actual height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, that Joan, as the only patient in the military hospital, gave birth to her first son Tom. Divorce subsequently separated the family, causing Joan to raise her sons on her own, which she did well and proudly. The boys both graduated from college, and Anthony went on to complete law school in Texas. Joan never stopped learning herself, both in her job with the College of New Rochelle and in further education. Although she already had her Bachelor's Degree, she went on to pursue and complete her Master's Degree in Communications. Finally, at age 72, after years in her role as Assistant to the Vice President, Joan retired and took the leap of faith to move to Leesburg, Florida where she installed herself as a resident of the growing community of Highland Lakes. It was here that Joan enjoyed the happiest years of her adult life. From golfing to bowling to water aerobics to simply talking with others and reminiscing about shared memories, Joan greatly enjoyed her years at Highland Lakes and the people there. Her neighbors and friends in Florida became the hub for years of pleasurable times for Joan and, as her health failed her in this past year, those friends and those bonds became the most important aspect of Joan's life. Joan is survived by her sons, and one granddaughter, Jolie Rayne Laporte. She is also survived by her sister Kate of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and her brother Peter of St. Louis, Missouri. She also survives in the memories of all those who loved and cared about her, and helped her through her final days with dignity and peace. Visitation A Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 from 4-6PM at Beyers Funeral Home Chapel, Leesburg. Services A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 8:30 AM with Father John Giel Celebrant. Interment Interment will be at Lone Oak Cemetery at a later date.