Patricia LaFramboise

Patricia (Pat or Patty) LaFramboise passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the Elim Park nursing home in Cheshire, CT at about a month shy of 82. Her married name was Patricia Victoria LaFramboise, but in later years she decided on substituting her middle name with her maiden name, and thus, went by the unofficial name of Patricia Wener LaFramboise. She, unfortunately, was afflicted with dementia, which became more noticeable after a small stroke about eight years prior. As the disease progressed and continued to impair different faculties of the brain, it became the primary cause of her death.

Patricia was born in Rutland, Vermont on November 6, 1942 to Alvar Wener and Josephine (Gorruso) Wener. She graduated from Rutland High School in 1960, and then became a registered nurse (RN) - which fit her natural aptitude of caring for others - after graduating from the Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1963. In 1983, she earned her Bachelor Degree in Business Management from the University of New Hampshire and in 1999, a Master Degree in Organizational Management from Central Connecticut State University. In addition, she attended innumerable continuing education courses, mostly of a professional nature, starting at least in the 1970s and continuing through the 2000s to, in part, maintain her RN license. She worked as an RN in various hospitals until 1978, thereafter, switching to the medical insurance industry, where she held positions that ranged from analyst, auditor, consultant, investigator, reviewer, supervisor, and manager, as well as becoming a certified professional coder in 2004. She retired in 2008, and in 2009 moved to the Elim Park continuing care retirement community in Cheshire, CT. Previously, she lived in Meriden, CT since 1987, New Hampshire since the early 1960s, and Vermont prior to that.

In 1961, Patricia met her husband to be, John LaFramboise. It was an encounter that almost didn't happen. John was in the Air Force at the time, and his squadron was slated to march in a parade. That got cancelled due to inclement weather, and the senior officer gave the squadron the rest of the day off. John's friend was going to visit his girlfriend who was friends with Patricia, and John joined him. John was fascinated with Patricia, eventually won her heart over, and they got married on October 3, 1964 in Rutland, VT. They remained mostly best of friends throughout the years. About thirty years ago, John suffered a stroke that left him partially disabled, and Patricia was selflessly his part time caregiver as well as his assistant with his numerous hobbies and interests.

In addition to her innate skill of helping others, Patricia had many interests and positive traits. She enjoyed reading books, had somewhat of an artistic flair, and was excellent with handicrafts. She created needlepoint pillows and canvases that she used to decorate her home. Although limited in quantity, she also painted wonderful motifs and scenes on wooden items; some of which were keepsakes, and others added a personal touch to her home. Throughout at least her adult life, she was an avid knitter and crocheter and made a wide breadth of items including, but not limited to, towels, prayer shawls, hats, scarves, and afghans. Sometime around the dawn of the 1990s, an interest in oriental rug making was sparked that resulted in the completion of a beautiful oriental rug in 1994. After retirement, she took a liking to card making and created wonderful cards that she gave to others to, in part, acknowledge anniversaries of all sorts, a milestone, or just to say, "I'm thinking of you". Patricia enjoyed the process of creating, used her stick-to-itiveness to complete large and challenging projects, and cherished making someone else feel good by gifting one of her creations.

Patricia is survived by her husband John LaFramboise of Cheshire, CT; her eldest son Darren LaFramboise of Bridgewater, MA; her other son Erik LaFramboise and his wife Lena Larsson of Oakdale, CT; and her brother Charles Wener and his husband Ronald Romano of Portland, ME. Her father and mother predeceased her on July 11, 1993 and August 4, 2006, respectively.

Thanks go to the Elim Park assisted living department for the care and patience given to Patricia during the turbulent times prior to her transition to the Elim Park nursing home in early 2023. Special thanks go to the Elim Park nursing home care givers, including the CMHS nurse and the Optum/UHC primary care provider. Shortly after being in the nursing home, there was a night and day difference in Patricia in the most positive of ways.

Patricia was interred at the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Meriden, CT on October 11, 2024. To honor Patricia, please take a moment to cherish the good thoughts you may have of her. Patricia's husband, John, thanks the Elim Park community for the wonderful support he received since Patricia's passing.