Elizabeth M. Ladeau

SHARON — Elizabeth M. Ladeau, 85, died peacefully July 3, 2009, after a short illness, at Sharon Hospital.

Libby was born Dec. 1, 1923, in Brattleboro, Vt. She was the daughter of the late Mary and John Sadd.

On May 3, 1942, she married Vernon J. Ladeau in Brattleboro, Vt.  Vernon predeceased her on March 1, 2008.

Libby graduated from Brattleboro High School in June 1941. After she was married, she and Vernon moved to Shelburne, Vt.,  where they became parents.   

Being a wife and mother were the most important things to Libby. She also became a foster mother to many children after moving to Greer School, Millbrook, N.Y.; one was Christopher Morgan Mershon, who lived with the Ladeaus for many years.  

After her children grew up, she worked at the post office at Greer until her retirement, but she still considered her husband and daughters top priority.  She made sure that her family always had a supply of chocolate chip cookies available at all times. Her family will never eat a chocolate chip cookie without thinking of Mom, Grammie, Great-Grammie.

Surviving are her two daughters, Carolyne L. Spagnola and her husband, Louis, of Millbrook and Veronica J. Lilley of Millbrook.  Elizabeth dearly loved her grandchildren, Kenneth Lilley Jr. of Lagrangeville, Deborah Galente and her husband, William, of Dover Plains, and Stacey Lilley of Millbrook, Louis Spagnola of Millbrook and Christina Tellerday and her husband, Bob, of Millbrook. The great-grandchildren would make Libby’s eyes light up and her smile grow.  They held a special place in her heart.  When asked about them, she would list them in order of age: William Galente Jr., Anthony Galente, Courtney Lilley, Andreana Galente, Samantha Galente, Hailee Pezze Tellerday, Taylor Spagnola and Jakob Galente.  She is also survived by many sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

 She was also predeceased by her son-in-law, Kenneth Lilley Sr.; her sister, Alice; and her brothers, John and Paul.

Funeral services were held July 7 at the Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.