Beatrice L. LaCount

Beatrice L. LaCount, 71, of Sanford, died April 16 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough after a lengthy illness.She was born in Sanford on February 25, 1941, the daughter of Maurice A. and Minnie (Ham) Ledoux and attended local schools.She had been employed over the years with the former Sanford Shoe Shop, Universal Shoe and Sprague Electric. She was a longtime communicant of St. Ignatius Church.She was predeceased by a husband Gerald "Jerry" Fougere in 1984, and by a second husband Frederick LaCount in 1995.Her niece, Stacey Hughes offers these thoughts: Bea, Aunty Bea, was a great success and had great courage. To describe Bea, I will quote Bessie A. Stanley, "...To laugh often and love much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;... ...To give of one's self;... ...To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived... ... This is to have succeeded."Bea did laugh often and loved much. She loved her family and her many friends. She held them and continues to hold them all close to her heart. She loved family reunions with relatives as far away as Virginia, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. She loved gatherings with family and friends and enjoyed, most of all, entertaining in her own home. Outside, you could always hear the laughter coming from within, as Bea had a joke for everyone who entered and loved to tease her many nieces and nephews. Christmas was one of her favorite holidays. Her home was wonderfully decorated, her kitchen full of delicious treats and her living room full of thoughtful gifts for all who attended. Everyone was included, no matter how new you were to the family.Bea did win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of many children. She ran her own daycare business for many years. She truly loved children and had such a natural gift to care and nurture them and to make them laugh. The many gifts she has provided for her great nieces and nephews over the years have again been so thoughtful and have helped nurture their development in many ways. Bea had a way of drawing children to her, her playfulness, her ability to keep current with the times and her "young at heart" spirit. Bea did give of herself and many lives did breathe easier because she had lived. (More than I know to write about). She was very humble in that respect. Bea was just nineteen years old when she cared for her Mom until she passed away. Later in her life she took her Father into her home and took care of him for 13 years. Bea also cared for her beloved husband, Jerry, once he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Another line of work Bea was closely involved in was caring for the elderly in their home. This enabled people to stay in their homes longer. She often sat with people all through the night. This was something she never boasted about, but just did from her heart. She enjoyed caring for people, helping them, making them laugh and feel cared for. It was in her nature. It was one of her many ministries in her lifetime. She truly made a difference in their lives.Bea also had amazing serenity, courage and wisdom. She was a strong person with a zest for life and that was obvious by all who new her. She appreciated the small things in life and took nothing for granted. She appreciated the spotting of a red cardinal, the sound of the beach, an ice cream at the Dairy Queen, a good game of bingo and dancing with family and friends. Now you can dance Bea, to all your favorites, like "One Day at a Time", "The Tennessee Waltz" and "May I have This Dance." Just make sure you save a dance for us when we all join you one day. Love You.Survivors include two brothers, Maurice Ledoux of Sanford, Perley Ledoux of Farmington, NH, and two sisters, Elizabeth Preston of Barrington, NH and Mabel Durand of Norfolk, VA.A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday at 11:00 AM at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale where relatives and friends are invited to call one hour prior to the service. A reception with refreshments will be held immediately following in the St. Ignatius Parish Hall on Riverside Avenue in Sanford.The family wishes to express their appreciation to all who cared for Beatrice over the years, especially the dedicated staffs at Greenwood Center, Southern Maine Medical Center, Maine Medical Center and the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Road, Scarborough, ME 04074.Arrangements are under the direction of the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale. Condolences may be expressed at the Condolences tab at left.