Mary E. Paquette,86
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mary Erma Paquette, 86, of 45 Spring St. died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, at North Adams Regional Hospital.
Born in the Farnams section of Cheshire on May 3, 1922, daughter of Giuseppe and Dora Pellazari Santolin, she attended school in Cheshire and Adams and, in her youth, baby-sat for local families and was a caregiver for the Rudnick family in North Adams. She later completed the cosmetology course at LeBarron's Beauty School in Pittsfield.
Mrs. Paquette was employed by local beauty salons for many years, first at the Orchid and Richard's beauty salons, with Mary Santelli in Williamstown, and lastly as a beautician with Ora DeSandre Beauty Salon. She was also employed for 10 years as an engraver at Arnold Print Works until it closed. She had first worked at the former Sprague Electric Co. before World War II, and then as a governess at various Army posts during her husband's service in the war.
She was a longtime communicant of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church. She was a past president and 54-year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary and delegate to its national conventions. She was also a member and past chaplain of the American Legion Post 125 Auxiliary, a member of TRIAD police association, the Spring Park Community Club, Spring Park Association and North Adams Housing Authority. She was an active exerciser and enjoyed swimming at the YMCA and loved dancing and traveling on cruises.
Her husband, Gerard Emile Paquette, whom she married on Dec. 13, 1942, in the former St. Anthony of Padua Church, died May 3, 1995.
She leaves a brother, Gene Santolin and his wife, Rita, of Pittsfield, and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
She was predeceased her infant son and her sisters Geraldine Giusti and Victoria Willey and brother Reno Santolin.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Mrs. Paquette will be celebrated Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 11 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, formerly St. Anthony's. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, will be Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 4 to 7.