Esther Laford

F, (2 April 1931 - 21 January 2020)
Father-Biological*Andrew W. Laford b. 1906, d. 1983
Mother-Biological*Alfreda Landry b. 1912, d. 2000
Last Edited=15 May 2026
Esther Marie (LaFord) Boudreau
     Esther Laford was born on 2 April 1931 at Athol, Massachusetts.1,2,3 She was the daughter of Andrew W. Laford and Alfreda Landry. Esther, age 9, appeared on the US Census of 1940 living on Gage Road, Athol, Massachusetts,in the household of her parents, Andrew W. and Alfreda Laford.4 In 1949, Esther graduated from Athol High School, Athol, Massachusetts.5,1 Esther, age 19, appeared on the US Census of 1950 living at Athol, Massachusetts,in the household of her parents, Andrew W. and Alfreda Laford.6 According to the Federal Census in 1950, Esther was a clerical worker at a leather factory.6 As of 28 April 1956,her married name was Boudreau.

Esther Laford, age 25, married Joseph Paul Leonel Boudreau, age 27 , son of Camille Boudreau and Marie Rose Bibianne Légère, on 28 April 1956 at Our Lady Immaculate Roman Catholic Church, Athol, Massachusetts. They were married by the Very Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Warburton.

Children:
1. Bernard Joseph Boudreau
2. Annette Marie Boudreau
3. Lawrence Paul Boudreau
4. Maria Louise Boudreau
5. Jeffrey William Boudreau (1970-2008.)5,1


Joseph and Esther's wedding announcement of 28 April 1956, reads:

Boudreau - LaFord Nuptials Today In Our Lady Church


Miss Esther Marie LaFord, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew W. LaFord of 228 Gage road, and Joseph Paul Leonel Boudreau, son of Mr. and. Mrs. Camille Boudreau of 40 Yale avenue, were married this morning at 9 in the Church of Our Lady Immaculate. Very Rev. Msgr.Francis J! Warburton performed the single ring ceremony.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a white satin floor length gown fashioned with French royal 1 lace bodice, long pointed sleeves and scajl loped neckline. The full nylon tulle skirt was styled with two lace panels, in front. Her queen's half cap of seed pearl and rhinestones held a fingertip veil of French illusion. The bride's gown was made by her mother. She carried her lace covered prayer book topped with a white orchid and stephanotis with white streamers.

Mrs. Joyce Thompson of Rome, N. Y. was matron of honor for her sister. Her ballerina length sleeveless gown of sky blue nylon corded lace over taffeta was styled with princess waistline and bateau neckline. She wore matching shoes and mitts and carried a bouquet of white carnations with inserts of matching blue taffeta. Her headband was of white feathered carnations.

Bridesmaids were Mrs. Beverly Boudreau of Athol, sister-inlaw of the bridegroom, and Miss cousin Catherine of LaFord of Athol, the bride. They wore gowns styled like the matron of honor's in princess blue and cloud blue respectively and carried similar bouquets. The attendants' gowns were also made by the bride's mother.

Ernest Boudreau of Gardner served his brother as best man. Ushers were Francis Boudreau, another brother, and Robert Thompson of Rome, N. Y., brother-in-law of the bride.

Traditional wedding music was played. The altar was decorated with white gladioli and snapdragons. A white aisle drawn from the altar to the entrance of the church. The bride's mother wore a dusty rose street length dress with matching coat and pink and white accessories. Her corsage was of pink carnations. The groom's mother wore a light blue dress with blue and white accessories and corsage of pink carnations.

A reception with 300 guests attending followed* the ceremony at the Elks Club. Miss Karen King of Athol, cousin of the bride, was in charge of the guest book. The couple left on 8 wedding trip to Virginia. The bride wore an orchid print dress with white topper made by her mother. She wore white and orchid accessories and an orchid corsage.

After May 13, the couple will reside at 16 Prospect street.

The bride was graduated from Athol High School in 1949 and is employed as office clerk at the Athol Manufacturing Company. The groom was graduated from Athol High School in 1948. A Naval veteran, he is employed as counter man at the Bemis Bakery.

Published by the Athol Daily News, 28 April 1956.5


She died on 21 January 2020 at Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Athol, Massachusetts, at age 88 from Alzheimer's disease.1,2 Esther's obituary of 23 January 2020, reads:

Esther M. (Laford) Boudreau


ATHOL , MA — Esther M. (Laford) Boudreau, 88, died Tuesday morning, January 21, 2020 at Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol.

Born in Athol on April 2, 1931, she was a daughter of Andrew and Alfrida (Landry) Laford and grew up in Athol, graduating from Athol High in 1949.

On April 28, 1956, Esther married Joseph L. Boudreau and they enjoyed close to 60 years of marriage until his death on February 12, 2016.

Esther worked as a CNA for many years, first at the Fleet- wood Nursing Home (now, Quabbin Valley Healthcare) and later a the Baldwinville Nursing Home. She also had sewn parachutes for Parachutes, Inc. in Orange.

An avid reader, Esther also was a great dancer and enjoyed both square and round dancing. An animal lover, she also enjoyed Sunday drives and knitting.

Esther is survived by her sons, Bernie Boudreau and his wife, Karen, of Northfield, and Larry Boudreau of Athol; a daughter, Maria LeBlanc and her husband, Jim, of Athol; grandsons, Andrew Hagie of Orange, William LeBlanc of Athol, Christopher Boudreau of Pennsylvania, Timothy Boudreau and Nick Boudreau, both of Wilbraham, and Shawn Stanper of Connecticut; grand- daughters, Chantel McGlone of Athol and Alison Boudreau of Wilbraham; great grand- children, Jack-Martin Johnson, Weston L. Johnson, Alexis Stanper and Anthony Stanper; brothers, Edward Laford of Winchendon and Greg Laford of Keene, NH; and several nephews and nieces.

Besides her parents and husband, Esther was predeceased by a son, Jeff Boudreau, and a daughter, Annette Hagie, a brother, Michael Laford and a sister, Joyce Thompson.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, January 27, 2020 from 6-8 p.m. at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Church, 19 Congress Street, Orange, with Fr. Shaun O’Connor officiating.

Interment at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

You may offer your sympathy online at WWW.WITTY- FUNERALHOME.COM

Published by the Athol Daily News, 23 January 2020.1


Esther was buried on 28 January 2020 at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon, Massachusetts.1,2

Citations

  1. Athol Daily News, "Esther M. (Laford) Boudreau" Athol, Massachusetts, 23 January 2020.
  2. Find-a-Grave. Online https://www.findagrave.com/
  3. Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Massachusetts, U.S., Birth Index, 1860-1970. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2013.
  4. Census Bureau. 1940 U.S. Federal Census. Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2012.
  5. Athol Daily News, Athol, Massachusetts, 28 April 1956.
  6. Census Bureau. 1950 U.S. Federal Census. Lehi, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, 2022.