Eileen ‘Gen’ Madden LaPlante
Eileen “Gen” Madden LaPlante, age 87 of 185 Old Military Road, Lake Placid, passed away peacefully Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, at Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid, and God has finally granted her wish to be with Bob after nine long, lonely years of living without him.
Born in Saranac Lake on March 21, 1933, she was the daughter of Francis and Lillian Colburn Madden of Lake Colby. She attended and graduated from St. Bernard’s School in 1948 and Saranac Lake High School in the Class of 1952. Eileen married Robert C. LaPlante on Sept. 13, 1954, in St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake, by the Rev. Vernon Doe.
Eileen worked for the Boy Scouts, American Management Association, Ames department store in the jewelry department, BOCES and the Saranac Lake school system.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Lee (Leslie) LaPlante of Ray Brook; daughters Lynn Frost (and roommate Michele Forero) of Baltimore, Maryland, and Judy (Tom) Sheldrake of Palm Coast, Florida; six grandchildren: Matthew LaPlante of Saranac Lake, whom she devoted her later life to, Tim (Stephanie) Frost of Ellicott City, Maryland, Jayme (Robert) Hysler of Jacksonville Florida, Krista (Fred) Dorrance of Reisterstown, Maryland, Dylan Sheldrake and Paige Sheldrake of Palm Coast, Florida; eight great-grandchildren: Jordan and Deklin Frost, Aiden, Emma, Lillian and Conner Hysler, and Kayla and Freddie Dorrance; one sister, Sister Carolyn Madden of Lake Colby; three nieces; three nephews; and Renee Clark, devoted, dedicated, adopted daughter, not only Matthew’s caregiver for over 20 years but provided love, support and assistance for Bob and Eileen.
Eileen wanted to be remembered for her love and devotion to her first-born grandchild, Matthew, whom she raised for 34 years, the last five years without the assistance of her loving husband.
She enjoyed family gatherings, visits to her sister’s house in New Hampshire, weekend camping trips and outings at the family camp. She was grateful to attend all six of her grandchildren’s high school graduations, two of their college graduations and two weddings.
She was predeceased by her parents Francis and Lillian, her brother Tom, sisters Helen and Elizabeth “Betty,” and her beloved husband of almost 57 years Robert, who went to sleep for a while June 17, 2011.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Will Rogers, the Saranac Lake Voluntary Health Center and to the CNAs on Unit 1 and the Activities and Therapy departments of Elderwood.
Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake on Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake on Wednesday, Nov. 4 with the Rev. Paul Kelly officiating, Burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Saranac Lake. Family and friends attending in-person calling hours and funeral services are asked to please follow all COVID-19 recommendations including social distancing and wearing masks. Due to extenuating circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the LaPlante family understands that it may make it difficult to attend for those unable to attend the funeral service, and it will also be webcast on Fortune-Keough Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
Due to COVID-19, a celebration of her life will be scheduled for a later date this summer.
Family and friends can share their memories, video condolences and written condolences at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Eileen’s honor should be made to the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center in Plattsburgh.