Bertha C. Lachance

CANAAN, VT —Bertha C. Lachance, 81, passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2014, at the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH, after a long and courageous struggle with cancer. She was born in Canaan on Aug. 17, 1932, a daughter to the late Edward and Ada (Cross) Leigh. She attended the local schools and was a 1952 graduate of Canaan High School. She married Leo Lachance in 1953. Bertha was a hard-working woman her entire life, and she worked first at the Stratford Plywood Mill, in the housekeeping department at The Balsams, and for many years in the cabinet department at the Beecher Falls Division of Ethan Allen. She loved to knit and complete her puzzle books and jigsaw puzzles. She loved to be at home, and will be remembered by her family as a very good cook. She enjoyed her family and took care of children for others, as well. Bertha is survived by her five children, Rita Lachance of St. Augustine, Fla., Deborah Donoho of Holiday, Fla., Bryan Lachance and partner Diane Maurais of West Stewartstown, NH, Marie Lachance of Canaan, and Sandra Lachance of Allenstown, NH; six brothers, Harold and Freddy Leigh of Florida, Edwin Leigh, Jr., of Beecher Falls, Ernie Leigh of Canaan, Gerald Leigh of Lyndonville, Vt., and Chester Leigh of Idaho; a sister, Mary Phillips of Beecher Falls; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her husband of more than 32 years, Leo Lachance in 1986; three brothers, Edgar, Marshall and Lester Leigh; and two sisters, Ellen Leigh and Irene Lunderville. There are no public calling hours. A graveside service will be in the Alice Hunt Cemetery in Canaan, Vt., in the spring, of which notice will be given. In lieu of floral tributes, the family requests that expressions of sympathy in Mrs. Lachance’s memory be made to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o Rosemary Mulliken at the First Colebrook Bank, 132 Main St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Bertha C. Lachance

August 17, 1932 - March 12, 2014