Alberta I. LaFrance

Alberta I. Lafrance (Dykeman) 92, of Wallingford (formally West Haven), was the widow of Robert D. LaFrance. She passed away peacefully on January 11, 2021 at her home in Masonicare, Wallingford Ct. She was born May 30, 1928. At 3 years old, her mother passed away and she and her 5 siblings became children of the state. She spent much of her childhood in the Children’s Home in Hamden, Ct. She was fortunate to be fostered by a wonderful couple Henry and Mae Vogeli of Cheshire Ct when she was in her teens. Alberta was the owner/hairdresser of Roberta’s Beauty Salon in West Haven for 25 years. She enjoyed her profession, and also the many customers/friends that she made during her time as a hairdresser. Alberta was a natural counselor, many confided in her, and that was a role that she adored, helping people any way she could. She was an avid crafter, making quilts for her family and many of her friends. She was an avid knitter, an excellent seamstress, enjoyed watercolor painting and restoring and  caning antique chairs. She loved any type of craft that allowed her to use her hands with amazing creativity. She was mostly self taught and was the person who could figure out how to make or fix anything. She was always the go to person for personal problems to be solved or crafts to be made, a true inspiration and loyal friend. Four years ago she moved to Masonicare and became a very active member of her community. She volunteered in the ceramic department and spent her free time with her new friends playing Wii bowling (she was a high scorer) bingo and cards. Once she settled in, she quickly became a confidant to many of the people that lived there. Many staff members commented that she was always a positive and friendly person, offering gratitude for services provided to and for her. She has been a Jehovah’s Witness since 2003, first at the Kingdom Hall in Orange congregation and most recently at the Kingdom Hall in Wallingford. She was beloved by both congregations and was a very active member in each of them. She loved studying the Bible with her colleagues and looked forward to all the weekly zoom meetings that became the normal way to worship in 2020. At 92, she could use the technology to be able to attend each and every meeting every week, quite an accomplishment!

She is survived by her children, Daniel R. LaFrance (Sigrid) of Florida, and Roberta M. Solimene of Bethany, her grandchildren Robert, Jessica and Sara, her great grandchildren, John , Joseph, James, and great- great granddaughter Malia, and many other nieces and nephews. She has a surviving sister Charlotte Mead who lives in Weathersfield. She was predeceased by her 1 sister, Ruth, and 3 brothers, Robert, Harold and Charles Dykeman.

There will be a memorial service honoring her on Saturday January 30, 2021 at 1:00 pm via zoom hosted by the Kingdom Hall of Wallingford (JW.org). If you would like to attend you can call the Kingdom Hall at 203-265-4169 to get the link to attend. Her burial will be private. Her daughter would like to thank the wonderful staff at Masonicare Homecare and Hospice, for always being exceptional caregivers and taking the extra time to ensure that Alberta had everything she needed to keep her comfortable during her final days, as well as to offer support to her family during this very difficult time. Roberta will be forever grateful to the angels that were her mothers nurses and aides.

If desired, a donation to a favorite charity in her name is the family request. Those wishing to send condolences online may do so at www.keenanfuneralhome.com

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