Bernice Marie Lapham

Bernice Marie Lapham (Reid), age 99, passed away at Baker Road in Chazy, NY, in the home of David and Rhonda Daley. She passed away in the company of family on the afternoon of January 14, 2026.

Bernice was born at home on Wallace Hill Road in Plattsburgh on the 15th of November 1926. Bernice was the 5th of 10 children born to Halsey (Richard) and Evelina (Bell) Reid.
Bernice married Lloyd Lapham in January of 1948, after the close of WWII, where Lloyd had been deployed in the U.S. Army under General Patton. Bernice and Lloyd also made their home on Wallace Hill Road, where they raised their 4 children, Arnold, Evelyn, Danny and Richard.

Lloyd had been a communications officer during the war and carried messages by motorcycle through and around enemy lines. His love of motorcycles followed him home after the war. This was an activity he shared with his new wife, Bernice. At 4 ft 11 inches and all of 96 pounds, one could not help but smile to see the young couple come to visit with Bernice clinging to Lloyd on the back of a Harley.

Bernice was a devout Catholic and a communicant of St. Alexander's Church in Morrisonville.

As a child, Bernice attended a one-room school situated on the corner of Wallace Hill Road and the Military Turnpike. Bernice later attended D'Youville Academy, and briefly before marriage, worked at the Woolworth's Store in Plattsburgh, NY.

All of her life she was a caregiver, a fact which cannot be overstated. She was a bright, perky, little person with a giant personality. Bernice had a huge heart and smile to match. Her willingness to listen and support those around her were the hallmarks of her life. Bernice had the most beautiful formal handwriting, and was always so much aware of the events and issues of the world in spite of her relative small footprint in it.

Bernice is survived by her oldest son, Arnold Lapham of Peru, NY, as well as several grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her loving husband Lloyd; her children Evelyn, Danny, and Richard Lapham; and her siblings Edmund, Raymond, Eleanor(Trombly), Orville, Viola, Bernard, Leander, Harold and Robert.

Calling hours will take place on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh, NY from 11:00 to 12:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. at St. Alexander's Church, 1 Church Street, Morrisnville, NY.

Heaven rejoices, but we who are left behind will miss her daily.