Helene I. (Sears) LaFosse

Winchendon – Helene I. LaFosse, 86, of Winchendon passed away peacefully in her home on  April 19, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.

Helene Irene LaFosse was born in Providence County, Rhode Island on October 9, 1939, the third of eight children born to the late Raymond and Lillian (LaVallee) Sears.  She graduated from St. Bernard High School and then attended Fitchburg State College receiving her bachelor’s degree in education and continuing with her master’s degree from Worcester State College.

Helene lived a very active life complete with rewarding life experiences.  While raising her family, she maintained the bookkeeping records for her husband’s business, LaFosse Carpets in Leominster.  She taught at the former Julie Country Day School in Leominster, MA.  While there, she not only taught Science, Mathematics and Religion to the junior high students, but she also coordinated the school’s yearbook and several eighth-grade trips to Washington, D.C.  She is still remembered for her words “leave room for the Holy Spirit” while chaperoning at the school dances.

Throughout her life Helene gave many hours of her time in service to others.  She was a  member of the St. Leo’s Church Choir, served on various parish councils and church bazaars, as well as teaching the Catholic faith to many young children in several church religious education programs.  As an avid seamstress her talents included making her own wedding gown, suits for her husband and sewing her own wardrobe.  During her free time, she loved to read, make beaded jewelry, embroider, knit and crochet.  She especially enjoyed cooking Sunday dinners for her children and grandchildren and cherished the time they spent together.

Helene is predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Robert J. LaFosse and her daughter-in-law Kelli-Sue LaFosse; two brothers:  Joseph Sears; George Sears and one sister: Patricia DiRusso.
She leaves behind three sons:  Dennis LaFosse of Littleton; Allan LaFosse and his wife Charlene of Athol; and Andrew LaFosse of Gardner; three grandchildren:  Julia, Robert and Harrison and three sisters: Jeannette Chambers of Leominster; Dorothy Sears of Fitchburg; Janice Colgate and her husband Malcolm of Gardner and one brother:  John Sears and his wife Susan of Fitchburg, as well as several nephews and nieces. 

A  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 24th at 9:00 AM in St. Anna’s Church, 194 Lancaster St., Leominster, followed by a burial in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon.  Calling hours will be held at Wright-Roy Funeral Home, Inc., 109 West St., Leominster on Thursday, April 23rd, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Denis Parish, 85 Main Street, Ashburnham, MA 01430 or St. Anna School Tuition Fund, 213 Lancaster Street, Leominster, MA 01453.

To leave a message of condolence visit; www.wrightroyfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helene I. (Sears) LaFosse, please visit our floral store.