Martha BASALA

BECKET -- Martha LaVallee, 81, died Tuesday at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield. Born in Snowshoe, Pa., on March 17, 1924, daughter of Andrew and Mary Billy Basala, she attended schools in Bridgeport, Conn., and graduated from the Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing in 1952. A registered nurse for 25 years, Mrs. LaVallee worked as a night supervisor, head nurse in pediatrics and in a surgery wing at Bridgeport Hospital. She was a member of the Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association. She and her husband of 50 years, Robert G. LaVallee, moved to the Berkshires in 1972 as summer residents and in 1989 became permanent residents. While in Becket, she was on the Board of Registrars and was a member of First Congregational Church. She enjoyed baking, crafts and sewing. Besides her husband, she leaves a son, David G. LaVallee of Wylie, Texas; two daughters, Sharon LaVallee-Young of Washington and Alison LaVallee-Strehlow of Shelton, Conn.; a stepdaughter, Susan Howarth of Waterbury, Conn.; two sisters, Mary Malchisky of Rumford, Maine, and Anne Sature of Clifton, N.J., six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Memorial Service for Martha LaVallee will be held Tuesday, June 14, at 11 at the First Congregational Church of Becket, YMCA Road, Route 8. Donations may be made to the charity of one's choice. The O'BRIEN HILLTOWN COMMUNITY FUNERAL HOME in Huntington is in charge of arrangements. She was predeceased by six brothers, a sister, and a granddaughter. Published in The Berkshire Eagle on 6/10/2005.