Valerie Gorman LaCross
Valerie Gorman LaCross, age 91, entered into eternal rest on October 25, 2023 at the Hattie Ide Chaffee Home in East Providence, RI surrounded by loved ones. Wife of 67 years to the late retired East Providence Assistant Fire Chief, Joseph L. LaCross. Born in Milford, Massachusetts on April 2, 1932 to the late George and J. Mary (Blake) Gorman.
Proud mother of four sons, George S. LaCross (wife Elaine Chicoine), retired Barrington Police Chief John M. LaCross (wife Judith Girvan), Peter K. LaCross (wife Judith Kerin), and the late Joseph R. LaCross. Valerie considered her son’s wives as her daughters.
Valerie was known by all as the loving Memere to Ashley Driscoll (husband Kevin), Allison LaCross (husband Pablo Barrio), Daniel LaCross (wife Jill), Patrick LaCross (wife Catherine) and Evan LaCross, as well as her cherished great-grandchildren John and Charles Driscoll, Colin and Owen LaCross, Connor and Claire LaCross and Florencio Barrio.
Valerie was the younger sister of the late George Gorman of Connecticut and the late Robert Gorman of Massachusetts. She is also survived by her God Daughter Deborah Gorman Earle as well as many nieces and a nephew.
Valerie was a parishioner of St. Martha’s Church from its inception as well as a member of the original Rosary and Alter Society. She taught CCD and was a Den Mother of the first Pack Five Cub Scouts at St. Martha’s Church. Valerie was a library aid and children’s story teller at the Anne Ide Fuller Library located in the original Fuller house, then later moved to the Kent Heights location for many years. She was employed by the East Providence School Department when she retired in 1995 from the Riverside Jr. High School as a Secretary/Library Aide.
After retirement, Valerie served as a volunteer in the library at the East Providence Senior Center for almost 17 years, where she also moderated a book club for eleven years. She also served on the East Providence Senior Center Advisory Board. After the passing of her husband, she did volunteer work at Hattie Ide Chaffee Home.
Valerie often passed on this guidance to others during their time of grief, “As long as I am remembered, I will never be forgotten”.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:00 AM in St. Martha's Church, 2595 Pawtucket Avenue. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Calling hours are respectfully omitted.
It is requested that in lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Martha’s Church Outreach Program 2595 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence, RI 02914.
