MarySue (LaVallee) Arnold

MarySue is survived by her children Michael (Kelly), Linda (Peter), John (Maura), Paul (Karen), Eric (Pamela) and Darlene (Denny) as well as 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her mother Ethel LaVallee, father Lawrence LaVallee, twin brother Monsignor William LaVallee, sister Patricia Branch and husband Robert Arnold.

MarySue graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1949 and SUNY Potsdam in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. MarySue taught 1st grade for one-year in 1953 in Bardonia, New York and started raising a family of six children in 1954. The family moved to Willsboro in 1966. Marysue was an aide to the school nurse at Willsboro Central School for 13 years.

MarySue was small in stature, but no one had a bigger heart. She spent 15 years as an Office of the Aging volunteer driving those who could not drive themselves to the store, doctors’ visits and helping them with whatever they might need. She was a volunteer elementary classroom aide for 25 years at Willsboro Central School. She tutored children that were struggling to read, in her home, free of charge. She was a lifetime Altar Rosary Society member and member of the Catholic Daughters.

The doors to her home were always open to anyone in need. She allowed her children to have cheering practice in the living room and a rock and roll band practice in the attic simultaneously. She allowed a foosball table in her kitchen. She would do anything for her children and grandchildren. She was a rock-solid role model, advice giver, and supporter. MarySue loved to attend sporting events, recitals, plays or whatever event her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were involved in. She very rarely missed cheering them on and when you have 6 children, 15 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren that adds up to a whole lot of events. Even in later years when she was not able to attend she would watch live streams from home. MarySue was an avid reader and fastest crossword puzzle solver ever.

One of MarySue’s biggest passions was music. She was an accomplished pianist and organist. She was the organist and choir director at St. Philips Church for 43 years and at the same time, organist and choir director at Willsboro Congregational Church for 18 years. She also was called upon to play the organ at numerous weddings and funerals. She was an accompanist with the Willsboro kitchen band for 10 years, and sang and danced in Willsboro minstrel shows. Marysue filled her house with beautiful piano music for 71 years often mentoring her grandchildren and great grandchildren at the piano.

She was married to the love of her life and high school sweetheart Robert (Bob) Arnold who also graduated from Potsdam with her. They were married on August 26th 1953 and were very happily married (love birds) for all 70 years and 364 days until Bob’s passing August 25th 2024. Her marriage was a shining example of how great a marriage and family life can be. She was an inspiration to all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bob will be ecstatic in welcoming MarySue to heaven after their short stint apart from each other. The match made in heaven continues in heaven.

Donations in memory of MarySue can be made to Willsboro/Essex Rescue Squad and or the Paine Memorial Free Library, large print section.

MarySue’s family would like to offer a very special thank you to her loving caregivers Christel, Janet, Shubbey, Jennifer and Stacey.

Calling hours will be Friday, September 27, 2024 from 5-7 pm. Funeral service will be at St. Phillips Church in Willsboro, NY on Saturday, September 28 at 10 am followed by a burial at Franklin Falls Cemetery at 12:30 pm located on Gladd Road in Franklin Falls. A reception will follow at Eric and Pam Arnold’s Reber Valley Vineyard located at 605 Reber Road, Willsboro.

Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru, 518-643-9055. To make a floral purchase, offer an online condolence, share a symbolic gesture, or share a photo in memory of MarySue Arnold please visit www.hamiltonfuneralhome.com.