Virginia Mae Lafortune

Virginia Mae Lafortune born June 22, 1927 died April 15, 2015. Growing up in Jaffrey Little Mae as she was known, attended Conant High School. She was raised by her grandmother Emily Wallingford and adoptive father Albert Shaw. A beautiful young woman with a fiery spirit became a great match for a quick witted Serviceman Norman Lafortune who had left his family at sixteen to join the Navy. After shared soda pops and good times these two young people would become man and wife. Shortly after they married Norman left for the war and while he was away Mae gave birth to their first son Kenneth. Years went by and Mae gave birth to three more children; Michael, Cheryl, and Debra. Mae’s mother Edna Davis, and maternal grandmother Emily , would come to live with the young couple.

As the years went by and the hard work of raising her children behind her Virginia’s love of a good times, laughter and children served her well as she became a grandmother. Norman and Mae bought a lovely home in Jaffrey where they would provide a backdrop in which a beautiful family legacy would unfold. Life blessed Mae with thirteen grandchildren to adore, and that she did. The red house on Darcy Drive was filled with happy sounds. On any occasion you would find her singing and playing the organ, or her grandchildren dancing to the Oakridge Boys. Sleepovers, pool parties, over the top Christmases with everyone getting matching sweaters in different colors. There were rummy games and granddaughters spending hours playing dress up in her closet filled with high heels. More than anything there was love. The years past and Norman and Mae retired to Florida to soak up the sun. In 2002 Mae would lose her oldest son Kenny when he died suddenly. This was a devastating blow to her and something her heart never healed from. With the remainder of her children up north and disease taking her memory from her, Norman and Mae decided it was time to come back home to NH.

Virginia was a woman ahead of her time. A woman who faced diversity in a small town. She had great pride and a forgiving heart. Her legacy would be her adult children , thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Virginia’s life on June 13, 2015 . It will be held at the V.F.W. at 2:00 p.m.