Beatrice V. LaRoche

  GARDNER - Beatrice V. (Kuzmicki) (Pilkovsky) LaRoche of 25 Crawford St. died peacefully at home on Friday, August 24, 2012 after a brief illness. She was born May 9th, 1926 in Gardner MA daughter of John Kuzmicki and Helen (Narkiewicz) (Kuzmicki) Pilkovsky.               Beatrice grew up in Gardner and graduated from Gardner High School with the class of 1944. While at Gardner High Beatrice was very active in field hockey and basketball. She was recognized as the "Best Athlete" in the class of 1944 and on October 1, 2005 she was inducted into the Gardner High School Athletic Hall of Fame.               Beatrice’s most notable title was that of "First Female Letter Carrier." She carried this title during WWII. Her hardest delivery was a letter to her mom informing her that her son Eddie who was serving in the US AIR Force was missing in action. Beatrice also worked at the Florence Stove and Thayer Mattress.             After her family were grown and gone she provided home health care for many years in the greater Gardner area. Beatrice was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and was their chaplain for many years and played on the American Legion II Pool League.  Bowling was another one of her passions, bowling many years out of the Gardner Ten Pins lanes. During the last couple of years she enjoyed knitting and crocheting for family and friends. In her spare time she watched the Boston Red Sox, she was an avid fan.             She was a communicant of St Josephs Church and a member of the Holy Rosary Sodality. She leaves three children; one daughter, Kathleen Letendre and her husband Forrest (Chet) Letendre of Acworth GA; two sons, Brian LaRoche of Temecula CA and Bruce LaRoche and wife Linda of Hubbardston; she also leaves many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren.               Beatrice was pre-deceased by her husband Edward C "Sonny" LaRoche who died in 1988; by three sisters, Jennie Zigas, Eleanor Zigas and Regina Taylor; and by two brothers Edward Pilkovsky and Dimitri "Jim" Pilkovsky.             A service will be held at Poliks Funeral Home, 431 Pleasant St., Gardner on Thursday, August 30, 2012 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Johns Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, August 29, 2012, from 5 to 7 in the Poliks Funeral Home, 431 Pleasant St. Gardner. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that a memorial contribution be made in her memory to a charity of one's choice. For more info or to sign our online guest book please visitwww.PoliksFuneralhome.com Poliks Funeral Home 431 Pleasant St., Gardner is directing arrangements.     $(document).ready(function(){ });