AKWESASNE – Beverly Jean Casey Lazore, 71, of Wade LaFrance Memorial Road, peacefully passed away Thursday morning, May 16, 2019 at her home with her family by her side.

Bev was born December 12, 1947 in Malone, the daughter of the late Peter and Mary (Ransom) Casey. She graduated from Salmon River Central School and later from St. Lawrence College in Cornwall with a degree in Behavioral Science. A marriage to Lawrence Martin in 1965 ended in divorce; however, they remained true friends throughout the years. In 1983, she married Kenneth Lazore in Fort Covington.

Bev dedicated her life to the education and well-being of many children. In 1984, she started working with the students at Salmon River Central School in various roles and programs. While there, she started the Beginning with Books program. She retired from Salmon River in 2009. She also created the Akwesasne Youth Council, worked with children with special needs through St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, and was a program manager for the Snye Day Care. She also worked at the Atomic Place. She had a great love for flea markets and garage sales, which led her to open First Class Seconds after her retirement. She was a member of the Akwesasne Death Benefits, St. Regis Mohawk Senior Citizens, and was a member of the board with the Akwesasne Library. She was also an extremely crafty person who made candles with essential oils, made suncatchers, and was always searching for ideas on Pinterest. She enjoyed camping, watching her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren play sports, and cherished her tea parties with Haley and Avalee.

Bev is survived by her husband, Kenneth; her children, Mark Martin, Shawn and Andrea Martin, Michelle and Wade Mason, Sheri Lazore, and Ashley Martin, all of Akwesasne; Joy Lazore of Maine; and Andy Lazore of Akwesasne; daughter-in-law, Wendy Lee Barrett of Huntingdon, Quebec; 27 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren; her step-mother, Marie Casey of Akwesasne; her brother, Brian Casey of Akwesasne; her chosen sisters, Karen White and Karen Tarbell of Akwesasne; her best friend, Maggie Tarbell Terrance of Rochester, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters, Barbara Wood and Christy Casey; and her chosen mother, Cecelia Gadway.

Friends called on Friday at the Akwesasne Homemakers until the time of her funeral services on Sunday.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may consider donations to the St. Regis Mohawk Senior Citizens or the Akwesasne Mohawk Ambulance Service.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where memories and condolences may be shared online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.