Mrs. Emma Ladd

Emma C. (LaRue) Ladd passed away peacefully on November 10, 2012, from complications of Alzheimer's disease, at the Brookside Nursing Home in White River Junction, Vt. Em was born on May 18, 1922, in Bristol, Pa., to Florence K. (Yardley) and George LaRue. She was born into a family of longtime Quakers, who emigrated from England to escape persecution and were founding assembly members of Pennsylvania, and founders of the town of Yardley. Em attended schools in Bucks County and graduated in 1944 with a B.A. in home economics from Beaver College (now Arcadia University) in Glenside, Pennsylvania. At college, she was selected as the "May Queen" in her senior year. Em met her future husband, Edward F. Ladd, on a blind date at the U.S. Naval Academy. She taught school in New Jersey until they were married on July 11, 1945, at the Falsington Friends Meeting House in Pennsylvania. Shortly thereafter, they moved to California where Em waved goodbye to Ed from the Golden Gate Bridge as he headed off to the South Pacific aboard the USS Vincennes. After the war, identical twin sons Ronald and Roger were born in Oakland, California. Several years later their daughter Linda was born in Schenectady, New York, where Ed's career with General Electric began. The family moved to Key West, Fla., for a short time, then settled in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where their children grew up. Em was an active volunteer in the community, serving as vice president of the Junior League of Pittsfield and as a founder of the Pittsfield Girls Club. She was a den mother for the cub scouts and a choir mother for the children's choir at South Congregational Church. Em and Ed subsequently lived in Cincinnati, Ohio; Berwyn, Pa.; Portsmouth, Rhode Island; Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and Lenox. Em was an accomplished seamstress, and enjoyed playing the piano, swimming, tennis, golf, and skiing. Later in life she became an award-winning watercolor artist and left behind a large body of work, which will continue to be enjoyed by friends and family for generations to come. Em was predeceased by her beloved husband, Ed, of 65 years in 2011; her son, Roger F. Ladd, in 1996; and her brothers George and Headley LaRue. She is survived by her son, Ronald L. Ladd and wife, Midge, of Bakersfield, California; daughter, Linda Yardley Ladd, of Wilder, Vermont; and grandsons Isaiah Stackhouse, Ivan Ladd-Smith, Nathan Ladd, Andrew Ladd, Ben Ladd, Matt Ladd, Jon Ladd, and Dan Ladd; and her sister, Mary Leonard Eginton, and husband, Warren, of Redding, Connecticut; and several nieces and nephews. A private memorial celebration of Em's life will take place at a later date in Lenox, Massachusetts. The Wellington Funeral Home in Pittsfield is in charge of arrangements. Thoughts and wishes may be e-mailed to condolences@wellingtonfuneralhome.com

Mrs. Emma Ladd

May 18, 1922 - November 10, 2012