Alice M. Laine

TEMPLETON - Alice Laine, age 81, died Friday, February 24, 2017 at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Alice was born August 17, 1935 in Templeton, MA. She is the daughter of the late Kenneth H. and the late Elma E. (Santa) Lawrence. Alice, along with her late husband Paul and their 5 children owned and operated a dairy farm, and through the years of operation they had many farm hands who were like family to them. She was also a bus driver for over thirty years for children with disabilities, attending many different schools. She was employed by Henshaw, Merrifield and Fred's bus companies. She took great pride in not only driving these kids to school, but also took the time to get to know them and earn respect from all of them. Alice loved all animals, especially horses and Ayrshire cows. She enjoyed many different sports- baseball, football and basketball being her favorites and was a huge Celtics fan especially the Rondo years. She also enjoyed cooking shows, country music and dancing with the stars. She enjoyed simple things in life-the birds outside the window, a call from a loved one or friend, a hug, and some laughs. She loved the Sunday gatherings with friends and family over coffee and homemade bake goods. All the kids in the neighborhood would stop to play baseball, basketball, football or hockey depending on the season and Alice was right there with cookies and milk. (she had rules about cookies and milk you could have two cookie to every glass of milk) Her family was very close and the most important thing to her. She is survived by one daughter: Tammy Vogel and her husband Richard. Four sons: Lawrence P. Laine, Lloyd D. Laine and his wife Deidra, Leonard R. Laine and his wife Rhonda, and Lance W. Laine; one sister: Ellen "Honey" Cheney and one brother: Walter Lawrence and his wife Janet; and one brother-in-law, Daniel Laine all of Templeton; She also has four grandchildren Corey, Cody, Andrew, and Ryan; and many nephews and nieces She is predeceased by her husband: Paul A. Laine and her grandchildren: Clayton and Meghan. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, March 3, 2017 at Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen St., Winchendon, MA with Rev. Mark Bariloni officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to GVNA Healthcare, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol.