Margaret LaPoint

Margaret M. LaPoint
Born: c. 1923

Died: October 18, 2020

Never married

Margaret Marie LaPoint was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake. Her parents were Frank and Marie (O'Connor) LaPoint, and her siblings were Louise, Rita, and Edward. She graduated from St. Bernard's School in 1936 and Saranac Lake High School in 1940. Margaret worked for the New York Telephone Company for 37 years, first as an operator and eventually as the business manager in the Saranac Lake branch; for many years she was secretary for the Telephone Pioneers of America. While working in her second career,  she attended North Country Community College, graduating with a degree in 1987. One of her greatest honors was being named Winter Carnival queen in 1987.

In her Saranac Lake High School senior yearbook, she is listed at 21 Pine Street, where she lived until she died in 2020. 

Margaret LaPoint, Saranac Lake High School Senior Class of 1940. Saranac Lake Free Library Adirondack Room Collection.Adirondack Daily Enterprise, October 21, 2020

Margaret M. LaPoint

Margaret M. LaPoint passed away peacefully on Oct. 18, 2020. She was 97 years old.

Margaret was a lifelong resident of Saranac Lake. She was the daughter of Frank and Marie. Margaret graduated from St. Bernard’s School in 1936 and Saranac Lake High School in 1940.

Margaret is predeceased by her siblings Rita, Edward and Louise. Margaret never married but was part of a very large extended family. Margaret was one of 45 first cousins who were all very close. She is survived by many nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews. She very much looked forward to large family gatherings and in particular to spending time with her Canadian cousins.

Margaret had a profound commitment of caring. Though she had no children of her own, she spent her entire life looking after family members and members of the community. She had a wonderful sense of humor, much of which came at her own expense.

Margaret worked for New York Telephone Company for 37 years, first as an operator and eventually as the business manager in the Saranac Lake branch. Upon retiring from the phone company, she worked for 10 years with the New York State Assessors Office in Saranac Lake. After retiring from her second career with the state, she worked part-time at Cinderella’s in Saranac Lake for many years. While working in her second career, she attended North Country Community College, graduating with a degree in 1987. For many years she was secretary for the Telephone Pioneers of America, was an active member and secretary for the Saranac Lake Adult Center, a Meals on Wheels volunteer and a Literacy Volunteer. She was always helping someone. But one of her greatest honors was being named 1989 Winter Carnival queen. Margaret dearly loved Saranac Lake and the Adirondacks. Margaret was a faithful member of St. Bernard’s Church her entire life.

For the past four years, Margaret had been living in Camillus Ridge Terrace, an assisted living facility near Syracuse. Margaret’s family would like to sincerely thank the staff of Camillus Ridge Terrace for taking such wonderful care of our aunt the past four years and for making her little cozy apartment her home away from home! We are deeply grateful for your compassionate care for this very special member of our family!

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake on Saturday, Oct.. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. A Mass of Christian burial will immediately follow at St. Bernard’s Church in Saranac Lake at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday with the Rev. Martin Cline officiating. Burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Saranac Lake. Family and friends attending in person calling hours and funeral services are asked to please follow all COVID-19 recommendations including social distancing and wearing a mask. Due to the extenuating circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the LaPoint family understands that it may make it difficult for some to attend. For those unable to attend, the funeral service will also be webcast on Fortune-Keough Funeral Home’s Facebook page.

Family and friends can share their memories, video condolences, written condolences at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Margaret’s honor should be made to St. Bernard’s School in Saranac Lake.