Lafayette, Jeannette ORMOND BEACH, Fla.

Jeannette Sourmail Lafayette, 84, of Ormond Beach, died peacefully on November 29, 2010. Jeannette was born in Winooski, Vt. and was the daughter of the late Francis and Bertha Abair Sourmail. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years, Kenneth Wayne Lafayette whom she now joins in eternal life and by her brothers, Francis D. and Roland A. Sourmail. Jeannette was a 1943 graduate of St. John's Academy in Rensselaer, N. Y. and went on to become an executive secretary and supervisor for the state of N. Y. At the age of 34, she began her studies at SUNYA and received both her bachelor and master's degrees while pursuing her doctoral studies in French. She was a college professor at both Junior College of Albany and Russell Sage College with a fellowship at SUNYA. She and her husband, Kenneth, owned and operated Hess stations for a total of 24 years and during that period Jeannette was a NY State Legislature lobbyist who was instrumental in having a sales tax bill passed. She was also a soprano soloist who performed for many years in musicals, weddings and community groups. Survivors include nieces and nephews from Mass., Vt., Fla., N.Y. and Ohio. The family would like to thank Jeanette's friends and neighbors for their many kindnesses and in particular, James Carroll and Jeanne Bennett. A memorial service is planned in the spring at Saratoga National Cemetery at the family's convenience.

Published in Albany Times Union on December 12, 2010