Whitehall –  Ruth C. LaChapelle, 87, of Whitehall, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at the Indian River Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Granville following a brief illness.

She was born on December 31, 1927 in Rutland, Vt., the daughter of the late Lurvey P. Rooker and Stella (Van Guilder) Rooker

Ruth and her husband Leo R. LaChapelle were united in marriage on August 25, 1946 and have celebrated 68 years of marriage.

She was a communicant of Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church of Whitehall.

Ruth was employed for Champlain Spinners Silk Mill in Whitehall for a short time.  She was very active for many years with the Whitehall Democratic Committee in Whitehall and served for many years as an inspector for every village, town, state and national election.

She was a devoted and loving wife, mother and "Nan" caring for her family.  She enjoyed the many holiday dinners that she would prepare for her entire family.  Ruth loved to crochet and made many items and dolls for her family and friends.  She and her husband Leo have spent over forty years camping at Bulwagga Bay Campground in Port Henry and have developed many friendships over the years.

Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her daughter Sheila Martel, three brothers, Nelson, James and Lurvey Rooker and her five sisters, Stella Andrus, Mildred Bunker, Florence Lindsay, Gladys Davis and Ellie Smith.

She is survived by her loving husband, Leo R. LaChapelle of Whitehall, her five sons, Perley "Butch" LaChapelle and his wife Shirley, of Whitehall, Donald LaChapelle and his wife Janet of Westminster, S.C., Michael LaChapelle and his wife Cindy, of Whitehall,  Terry LaChapelle and his wife Debbie of Queensbury, and Richard LaChapelle and his wife Stephanie of Whitehall, her 15 grandchildren, Dan, Holly, Jill, Amy, Tammy, Stacy, Michael, Darrell, Eric, Jimmy, Bobby, twins Karrie and Kristie, Colby and Logan, 24 great-grandchildren, her son-in-law, Robert Martel and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Monday, March 30 2015 at Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church, Skene Street, Whitehall with Reverend Rendell Torres, pastor officiating.

Her grandchildren will serve as both active and honorary bearers.

Following the services on Monday, the family invites friends to a reception at Our Lady of Hope Parish Hall to continue the celebration of Ruth's life.

A Rite of Committal will be held in the spring in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Whitehall

Friends and family are invited to call on the family from 6:00pm to 9:00 pm on Sunday, March 29, 2015 at the Michael G. Angiolillo Funeral Home, 210 Broadway, Whitehall, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions take the form of donations to either Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church, 9 Wheeler Ave., Whitehall, N.Y. 12887 or to the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 188, Whitehall, N.Y.  12887.

The family would like to thank the staff of Indian River Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Granville for both the care that they gave to Ruth during her brief stay and the compassion that they shared with her family during the last few days of her life.

To leave an online condolence for the family, to share a photo, or to send a floral bouquet, please visit www.angiolillofuneralhome.com.