Earlene L. (Ferren) Lajoie

OAKHAM - Earlene L. (Ferren) Lajoie, 92, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 17, 2026, with her children and grandchildren by her side.

She was born in Berlin, New Hampshire, raised in Worcester, MA, and made her home in Oakham for the past 66 years with her husband, the love of her life, who she was married to for 69 years, the late Lionel A. Lajoie Jr. Earlene was the daughter of Jesse L. and Lorena A. (Chandler) Ferren.

She is survived by her children, Susan L. (Lajoie) Hutchinson and her husband Greg, Richard L. Lajoie and his longtime partner Pamela Shea, and Daughter-in-law Lisa (Brown) Lajoie, wife of the late Robert L. Lajoie, all of Oakham as well as 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Lionel A. "Lee" Lajoie Jr., son, Robert Lajoie, and grandson, David G. Hutchinson.

Earlene was a graduate of North High School in Worcester, and she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Worcester State Teacher's College (now Worcester State University) and taught for several years at Thorndyke Elementary School in Worcester. Earlene was a very active member of the Oakham Congregational Church, where she served as Sunday School Director and substitute organist. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and 4-H Leader.

Earlene enjoyed traveling, vacationing in Maine, going to Disney World with her children and grandchildren, boating, gardening, spending time at her home on Cape Cod and most recently staying at Cocoa Beach, Florida for a few winter months each year. She was a very skilled quilter and belonged to the Gardner Quilt Club. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She loved having each grandchild (one at a time) come to her house to have a special day where she would teach them how to sew and make a special pillow for them to take home. She would take them for a special back-to-school shopping day and out to lunch (all of the boys one day and all of the girls another) in August every year. She never missed a horse show, ball game, recital, or school function that her grandchildren were involved in.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather with Earlene’s family during a Calling Hour on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A Funeral Service will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Old Turnpike Road, Oakham. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Earlene’s name may be made to: Oakham Congregational Church 4 Coldbrook Road, Unit #12 Oakham, MA 01068.