Laurette E. Vary, 88, of Woonsocket died Wednesday morning at Landmark Medical Center. She was the loving wife of the late Leo E. Vary. They were married on September 17, 1949 and shared 59 years together until his passing in 2009.
Born in Manville she was a daughter of the late Arthur and Eugenie (Laliberte) Girouard. She resided in Manville for many years and lived in Woonsocket for the past 30 years.
Mrs. Vary was the first female driving instructor in the State of Rhode Island and was well-known in the area as the owner and operator of Lee’s Driving School. Laurette taught several generations of local people how to drive. In her younger years she was employed in the local textile industry.
Among her many talents was Laurette’s flair for interior decorating. Laurette loved music, singing and dancing. Her pastimes were bingo, cards, bowling, trips to casinos. Some of her favorite memories were entertaining, hosting dinners and parties and vacations with family.
She is survived by four sons Richard Vary of Woonsocket, Ronald Vary of Tilton, NH, Paul Vary of Woonsocket, Dennis Vary of Newbern, NC, three daughters Janet Sellers of Woonsocket, Linda Miller of Lee’s Summit Missouri and Debra Phaneuf of Uxbridge, MA. She was the sister of the late Lucien Girouard and Rita Moreau. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Her funeral service will be Monday at 10:00 am in the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland. Visiting hours are Sunday from 4-7 pm.
www.menardfuneralhome.com