Mildred C. LaValley

Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Mildred (Millie) Catherine LaValley was called to her rest on August 21, 2024. She was born in Cohoes, New York on September 16, 1935, to the late George E. and Mildred Clement and spent her childhood and most of her adult life in Waterford New York. She was educated in the Waterford Public School System. Shortly after graduating, Millie met and married the love of her life Don LaValley. They became parents to three children, Susan, Scott and Stacey. In 1975 the family relocated to Nashua, NH. While in NH, Millie worked in New Searles Elementary School as both secretary and playground monitor. During the late 1970s, she became the administrative assistant at Nathaniel Hawthorne College’s satellite night campus in Hudson until she took the position of secretary to Sr. Mary Jane Benoit and Dr. Charles Mitsakos of the Graduate Education Department at Rivier College, guiding students in course selection with a compassionate knowledge of the curriculum.

Millie, as she was affectionately known by her friends, and Mimi/Grammy Millie to her grandchildren, was a devoted wife and mother, often cooking family Sunday dinners for all, and was known for her delicious pies and cakes, drawing inspiration from Betty Crocker and the many cooking shows she loved to watch. She enjoyed knitting and sewing, and was a gifted writer, taking an occasional fiction writing class to hone her craft. She and Don often found themselves at Hampton Beach or golfing on weekends, spending much time in Maine playing the 9-hole or 18-hole courses. Millie greeted each day with a grin and holidays were her chance to spoil her children and grandchildren well. Her grandchildren always present, she gave Ryan, Erin, Joey and later, Joshua some of the most fun experiences growing up, as Christmases and birthdays were often spent at her home in South Nashua. An active member of the choir at Parish of the Resurrection as well as a Red Hatter, her days were often filled with song and smiles.

Mildred will be deeply missed. She knew how to make people feel at ease with her reassuring smile and her gentle nature, and she was an inspiration to all. Her patience knew no bounds, and a stranger was often a friend after only meeting once. It is because of her, many have chosen education as their career, becoming the elementary school teacher she always wanted to be.

Survivors include her son Scott David LaValley, Scott’s wife Cheryl, her daughter, Stacey Anne (LaValley) Lambert, Stacey’s husband Donald and her son-in-law Paul Crowley (husband of the late Susan (LaValley) Crowley. Her grandchildren Ryan LaValley, Erin Crowley, Joseph Crowley and Joshua Lambert. Her family brought her boundless joy, and she truly treasured every moment with them. Every child and grandchild filled her heart with joy, as she nurtured the individual gifts and talents of each one, whether it be Ryan’s soccer matches and his writing and drawing, Erin’s piano practices and recitals, Joey’s baseball games, and in recent years, truly embracing Joshua’s singing talents and was his biggest fan when he would perform at various recitals. Millie was predeceased by her husband, Donald LaValley, in September 1998 and her daughter, Susan Crowley, in August 2023 who are both currently with her in Heaven.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 10:00am at the Immaculate Conception Church in Nashua, New Hampshire, with a receiving line preceding the mass, and a small reception following. A private burial service for the immediate family will be held later in the day. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Assisting with arrangements is The Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium in Manchester. To view Mildred's online tribute or to leave a message of condolence for her family please visit www.phaneuf.net