Eleanor M. (LaClaire) Wetherby

ORANGE- Eleanor M. (LaClaire) Wetherby, 90 of Clifton Street, died peacefully at home early Saturday morning, January 14, 2023 with loved ones surrounding her.

Born in Leverett on May 4, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Harriet (Bourne) LaClaire, one of ten children.

Eleanor married Harold E. Wetherby on January 30, 1949 and enjoyed 62 years of marriage until his death on April 10, 2011.

Eleanor retired from Erving Paper Mill and later went to work for Ralph C. Mahar Regional School in the cafeteria. She also had worked alongside her daughter Wendy at Cumberland Farms.

Eleanor enjoyed being with her family, as well as finding bargains while going to tag sales. She had an eye for flower arranging and was skilled at chair caning.

Eleanor is survived by her daughters, Renee Wingerstman of Petersham, Brenda Andrews of Londonderry, NH, Wendy Wetherby, Dotty Rich, and Tracy Hamlett and her husband, Chip, all of Orange; her sons, Brian Wetherby and his wife, Diane, of New Salem and Chris Wetherby andhis wife, Kim, of Oxnard, CA.  She also leaves grandchildren, JoEllen Harris, Crystal Harris, Mark Wingerstman Jr., Scott Andrews, John Emery Jr., Ronald LaJoie Jr., Michelle Emery, Jill Shufelt, Nicole Wetherby, Jenny Gabrenas, Kathleen Wetherby, Christine Wetherby, Bradley Wetherby, Cameron Wetherby, Mackenzie Hamlett, and Jayden Hamlett; great grandchildren, Mya Harris, Elsie Rosenquist, Shelby LaJoie, Max LaJoie, Johnny Emery, Kayla Shufelt, Cody Shufelt, Richard Fairman IV, Hailey Gabrenas, Makiya and Aaliyah, and Octavia Tie; a great grandson, Zyir; sisters, Phyllis Young of Bellows Falls, VT and June Graves of Erving; a brother, Leonard LaClaire of Leverett; as well as several nephews and nieces.

Besides her parents and husband, Eleanor was predeceased by her brothers, Alden LaClaire, Joseph (Bud) LaClaire, Oliver (Chub) LaClaire, James LaClaire, and Roy LaClaire, as well as a sister, Marion (Chipper) Norwood.

“We sat beside your bedside, Our hearts were crushed and sore, We did our best to the end, “Til we could do no more. In tears we watched you sinking, We watched you fade away, And though our hearts were breaking, We knew you could not stay. You left behind some aching hearts, That loved you most sincere; We never shall and never will Forget you Mother dear”.

There are no calling hours.

A graveside service will be held on January 28, 2023 at 11 a.m. at South Cemetery, 585 South Main Street, Orange.

Following the graveside service, a celebration of life will be held at Eleanor’s home at 25 Clifton Street, Orange (approximately 11:45 a.m.)

Donations in Eleanor’s memory can be sent to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. 

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book and directions online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eleanor M. (LaClaire) Wetherby, please visit our floral store.