Margaret (Bedat) LaPierrewife of the late Dr. Arnaud LaPierre, passed away at her home Wednesday, April 24, 2013. She died peacefully after an extended battle with ovarian cancer. She was born and raised in Norwich, CT to Harry Bedat and Anna (Griffin) Bedat October 13, 1918.

Margaret was a 1936 graduate of the Norwich Free Academy. She worked for Southern New England Telephone before her employment as a medical secretary in the office of Drs. A.R. and W.W. LaPierre where she worked for many years before retirement.

She married Dr. Arnaud LaPierre January 30, 1970. They made their home in Norwich for many years before moving to Pittsfield, VT and then to Kendal at Hanover, Hanover, NH. They were married 24 years until his death in 1994.

Margaret was active in the Hanover community, volunteering for many years in the radiation department of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, as well as the Kendal library and gift shop. She was an avid reader, who enjoyed lifelong learning, bird watching, gardening, walking, travel, and time spent with family and friends.

She leaves behind a blended family, sister-in-law Margaret Bedat whom she bonded with in friendship 62 years ago; sister, Louise Ladd; nieces Nadine (Bedat) Hoagland, Nancy (Bedat) Tessier and husband Bob; nephew Bruce Ladd and wife Jacquie; cousin Virginia (Bedat) Mays and husband David; stepchildren Luarne (LaPierre) Heller and husband Bill, Arnaud LaPierre and wife Carol; step-grandchildren, great-nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Margaret was predeceased by her brother Frank Bedat, niece Barbara Calvin, step-granddaughter Christine Whipple, and step great-granddaughter Amy Whipple.

Margaret's family wishes to express warm thanks and great appreciation to her medical team Dr. Loyd West and the Oncology Department of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center; Dr. Linda Dacey and the Kendal medical staff; special thanks and gratitude to Joyce Hinsley for her gentle, loving care of Margaret in her final weeks; eternal thanks to Margaret Bedat who supported and nurtured her throughout three years of illness.

Family and friends will gather at the Maplewood Cemetery, Route 82, Norwich, CT for a graveside service Saturday, May 4th 11:00 a.m. A memorial service will be held in Hanover at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the charity of one's choice or to David's House, PO Box 660, Lebanon, NH 03766.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.