Rita Ladue Obituary

The majestic green gardens of God's heaven are now tended by a new angel gardener. Rita Ladue, 93, formerly of Lake Forest, passed peacefully into eternal grace on Friday, April 9, 2010 surrounded, as she lived, by love, family and friends.

Rita was born in Saranac Lake, NY on July 27, 1916, the daughter of Homer and Alice (Hamel) Boyer. She grew up at a time when Saranac Lake was an internationally known hamlet. Her stories of Cure Cottages and their inhabitants were always interesting. She was witness to the 1932 Winter Olympics and was always proud of her autograph collection of famous Olympians—including Sonia Henie.

After graduating from Saranac Lake High School in 1936, she moved to Plattsburgh to study at Plattsburgh Business School. It was while working at Montgomery Ward that she met Howard Ladue, whom she married on September 15, 1945. He died December 26, 1994.

During the 1950’s she worked as a Welcome Wagon Hostess and from 1960 to 1976 she and Howard owned and operated Plattsburgh Answering Service. After her sons finished school she worked for The Office of Religious Education for the Diocese of Ogdensburg for a number of years. In retirement Rita and Howard spent fourteen winters living in Florida. She loved “sailing” on weekends, cruising the rummage sales of Sarasota and Venice.

Rita’s deep spirituality was the cornerstone of her life. She was a lifelong member of St. Peter’s Church where she was a member of the Catholic Daughters and Altar Rosary Society. However, it was her involvement with both the Regina Maria Retreat League and the North Country Mission of Hope that saw “patches of Godlight”--the manifestation of Rita’s service to God and mankind.

For over 40 years, Rita was involved in almost all activities of the Retreat League. She spent countless hours assisting retreats, tending gardens, and preparing food. She knew everyone and was the liaison between the Retreat House and local churches. Each November she helped chair the annual bazaar, raising needed funds for the Retreat league’s many missions.

Since its beginning, Rita was passionate about the North Country Mission of Hope. She gathered and saved all sorts of things the Mission could use, assisted in packing and was part of the team which dismantled the Base Hospital’s medical supplies that ultimately made their way to Nicaraguan health care facilities.
Rita was most at home in her flower gardens, working the soil, nurturing young plants into glorious blooms. Her gardens on Grace Avenue, Wildwood, and Lake Forest were her pride and joy. Until last autumn, she could be seen with her son, Dan, tending five raised beds of flowers and vegetables at Lake Forest. Never content to keep the flowers for herself, she was always making floral arrangements for her numerous friends.

She is survived by her sons Daniel Ladue and Stephen Graf of Plattsburgh, NY; Richard and Carolyn Ladue of Anchorage, Alaska; and her step-daughter Patricia and Dick Irwin of Potsdam, NY. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Gloria Boyer, of Newark, NY, as well as nine nephews and nieces and countless friends. Rita’s surrogate daughters/friends, Vicky Maggy of Saranac and Pat Ives of Plattsburgh, will forever live with the wisdom she taught them.

Calling hours will be Monday, May 3, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church, followed immediately by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. with Father John Yankovig celebrating the Mass.

Arrangements have been entrusted to R. W. Walker Funeral Home, 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.


Rita always said, “Don’t give me flowers when I’m dead. Let me enjoy them while I’m alive.” To honor that request, memorial donations may be made to the North Country Mission of Hope, PO Box 2522, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. A special focus mission will go to Nicaragua to build homes in her memory.

Go forth, dear angel. Your mission here on Earth is complete. Tend God’s royal gardens and continue sharing their bounty with Heaven’s choir. You will be missed by those who loved you, but we know you are safe, whole and in the presence of God’s glory.