Constance Lanoue Briola, 95
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Constance Rose Lanoue Briola, 95, of 33 Lyman St. died Sunday, July 12, 2009, at Williamstown Commons.
Born in North Adams on Sept. 29, 1913, she was the fourth child and first born in America of Luigi and Elisabetta Rosati Irace. One of 14 children, she was unable to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher when she had to leave high school at age 16 to help support her family. She later earned her diploma from Drury High School in 1961, the same year her daughter graduated from the School of Radiology at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center and her son graduated from the former St. Joseph's High School.
Mr. Briola was employed by the former Sprague Electric Co. for more than 20 years, retiring in 1975. She had earlier worked at the former Clark Biscuit Co. and for the former New England Telephone Co.
She was a communicant of the former St. Anthony of Padua Church and a member of its Rosary Society. She loved gardening, cooking and traveling, but above all, loved and dedicated herself to her children and family. Her dream of having a large family was cut short when her beloved husband, Napoleon "Leon" Lanoue, was accidentally electrocuted at work in Vernon, Vt., leaving her with two young babies.
Mr. Lanoue, whom she married Oct. 12, 1940, died on June 3, 1943.
Her husband, Louis Monte Briola, whom she married Sept. 9, 1977, died on May 8, 1995.
She leaves a son, John D. Lanoue and his wife, Kathleen, of Williamstown; a daughter, Frances Mikhitarian and her husband, Charles, of Ballston Spa, N.Y.; three brothers, Austin Rogge of Adams, Henry E. Iraceof North Adams and John Irace of New Castle, Pa.; a sister, Rose E. Girardi and her husband, Shep, of North Adams; five grandchildren, Kelly Bertrand and her husband, Mark, Jon Foster and his wife, Karen, Eric Foster and his wife, Trisha, Christopher Lanoue and his wife, Elizabeth, and Brent Lanoue and his fiancée, Karen Grosso; seven great-grandchildren and eight nieces and eight nephews.
She was predeceased by five sisters Angelina Laino, Frances Louison, Mary Maselli, Josephine Scalise and Philomena Richardello, and four brothers, Francis Irace, Gennaro Irace and two in infancy.
FUNERAL NOTICE - A Funeral Mass for Mrs. Briola will be celebrated Wednesday, July 15, 2009, at 11 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
A calling hour will be held Wednesday morning, July 15, at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams. Memorial contributions may be made to Elder Services of Berkshire County in care of the funeral home.