Ms. Christine M. LaDuke

Christine M. Walfield LaDuke (Chrissy), 82, of Chateaugay Lake, NY, and Sarasota, FL, passed away at Tidewell Hospice House in Sarasota, on October 28, 2022, after a brief illness. Born July 4, 1940 in Danvers, MA, she was the daughter of Nelson Lee Walfield and Frances English Walfield. Chrissy graduated from Chateaugay (NY) High School in 1958 and married Arthur E. LaDuke, Jr., on April 4, 1959. They lived in Kentucky and Regensburg, Germany, while he was in the US Army, then settled in Chateaugay. While their marriage eventually ended in divorce, they were blessed with their daughter, Michelle. Over the years, Chrissy worked for Franklin County; as secretary to the superintendent and district clerk for Chateaugay Central School; assistant to the president of Key Bank in Malone, NY; assistant to the president of Coyne Textile Services in Syracuse, NY; secretary to the superintendent and district clerk for Malone Central Schools in Malone, NY; executive director for United Way of Franklin County; director of development and community relations for Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, NY; and pastoral assistant for St. Patrick’s Church in Chateaugay, NY. Chrissy was the embodiment of what it means to volunteer and support the community. At St. Patrick’s Church, she was a lector, Eucharistic minister, Pastoral Council member, she co-chaired the annual Harvest Dinner and Yard Sale, coordinated the Christmas Basket program, sang in the church choir for many years, and delivered communion, ministry and her jams and baked goods to the homebound. She was a board member and board president of the Chateaugay Lakes Association; she served as a member of the Chateaugay Central School Board of Education; she served on the board of Hospice of the North Country; she was an avid supporter of the Burke Adult Center; and she was an enthusiastic advocate of the Chateaugay Historical Society. She was also a lifetime member of the Malone, NY, Ladies of the Elks and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Alice Hyde Hospital Auxiliary. She brought her love of performing to the stage in community theater productions in Malone and Chateaugay. Most recently, she spent numerous hours volunteering in the development office at the Senior Friendship Centers in Sarasota, FL. Surviving are her daughter and “favorite son-in-law” Michelle and Keith Senglaub, and her beloved grand dog, Lily, of Mt. Pleasant, SC. She also leaves her brothers, Nelson Lee (Millie) Walfield of Bow Lake, NH, Floyd (Linda) Walfield of Birmingham, AL, and Lloyd (Diane) Walfield of Burke, NY; sisters Donna Holt of Cumberland Head, NY, Carol Hagar of Chateaugay Lake, NY and Naples, FL, Pamela (Jerry) Bessette of Burke, NY, and Cindy (Chris) Spinner of Chateaugay Lake, NY; cousin/brother K. Lee “Skip” (Sheila) Dwyer of Trinity, FL; bonus sister Beverly (Howard) Smith of Tarrytown, NY; bonus brothers Kirby Selkirk (JoEllen Saumier) of Chateaugay, NY, Bill Selkirk of Plattsburgh, NY, and Dale (Ann) Selkirk, of Chateaugay, NY. She also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, and other extended family members and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Nelson Lee Walfield, Frances English Walfield Selkirk, and Maynard Selkirk, as well as her sisters, Marcia Lee McGinley and Karen Bradshaw. Calling hours will be at the Chateaugay Funeral Home on Thursday, November 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 11, in St. Patrick’s Church, Chateaugay, NY, with Rev. John Looby and Deacon Brian Dwyer officiating. Burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. There will be a private memorial service in Sarasota, FL, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Chrissy requested donations to the Burke Adult Center, St. Patrick’s Church Building Fund, the Senior Friendship Centers (Sarasota, FL), or a charity of your choice. To quote friends, “she ran her race with love” and she strove to make the world a better place through her community efforts and her personal interactions. To that end, in her honor, please be good to your fellow humans.

Ms. Christine M. LaDuke

July 4, 1940 - October 28, 2022