Margaret LaFleur Speranza

Margaret LaFleur Speranza, 103, of Sciota, NY and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, passed away peacefully in her 104^th year with her family by her side on June 8, 2024, at 3:07 AM on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart.

Margaret was born in Sciota, NY to Frank and Louise (Lozier) LaFleur on March 30, 1921 and attended Mooers Central School. In 1939, at the height of the depression and the commencement of World War II, she and her sister, Helen, moved to New Jersey to find work. Margaret was employed by Western Electric, where she helped to build sonar, radar and radio parts for the war effort. It was in New Jersey that she met the love of her life, John Speranza. They married in Sciota, NY on December 19, 1943 and celebrated 44 years of marriage prior to John’s death on August 21, 1988.

In addition to her parents and husband, Margaret was predeceased by her sisters, Grace (John) Desmarais, Irene (Noah) Demarais, Mabel (William) LaPlant, Evelyn (Edward) Deso, Sadie Guay, Helen Brown, Gladys (Raymond) Deso, and son-in-law, James Reid.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Joan (Melvin) Warner, Janet (Michael) Tobin, and Jack (Wendy Jackson) Speranza. Grandchildren, Jennifer Reid, Joseph Reid, Anthony (Melissa Seyler) Speranza-Hernandez, Alexa LaFleur (Mario) Dealba, John Speranza, Ann LaFleur Speranza, and Nicholas Speranza. Great-grandchildren Ellie Reid, Emma Reid, Elliott Seyler, Isaac Seyler, Julian Dealba, Luca Dealba and Lucia Dealba. Step-grandchildren, Ryan (Kristin Dunbar) Tobin, Sean (Nicole) Tobin, Laura (Patrick) Mansfield, and Brendan (Mirella) Tobin. Step-greatgrandchildren, “Baby Girl” Tobin, Noah Tobin, Ava Tobin, Michael Mansfield, Joseph Mansfield, Thomas Mansfield, Margaret Mansfield, and Judah Tobin.

Margaret is also survived by her brother-in-law Douglas Brown of Peru, NY, numerous nieces and nephews who so generously and lovingly watched over and cared for her while she still lived in Sciota, and very special friends who were her cherished family members, grandson Eddie (Mary Concepta) Wamala, their children Theresa and Dominic, Mondi, Flora, Luizabela and Nancy Ndoj, Monda Gjergi and Denise Ramirez.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 22nd at 12:00 PM, at Assumption Catholic Church, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL.  A viewing will immediately precede the Mass beginning at 11:00 AM in the main church.  Live streaming will be available during the service at https://m.facebook.com/AssumptionCatholicParishBroward/ beginning at 11:00 AM. (To watch the livestream: 1) Click on Facebook link; 2) Scroll down to “posts”; 3) Click on image to begin watching live video). A reception will be held immediately following the Mass at 4900 North Ocean Blvd, lobby level, Reef Room, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL.

Margaret’s body will be flown to Plattsburgh, NY where relatives and friends are invited to call on June 29, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Walker’s Funeral Home, 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh. Burial will be in her hometown of Sciota, NY at St. Louis de France Cemetery, immediately following the viewing. A Celebration of Life will be held after burial at 12:30 PM at the Rainbow Banquet Hall, Gold Room, 47 Woods Falls Road, Altona, NY.      

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margaret’s memory to the Bugumiro Foundation Uganda. Online donations may be made via the website (www.bugumirouganda.org) or checks made in the name of Bugumiro Foundation Uganda can be sent to 1163 Brookway Ct., Muskegon, MI 49441.