Lula W Saari

Lula Wood Saari, 93, of Saratoga Springs, New York, died of natural causes, May 1, 2010, in her home surrounded by her family. Born December 7, 1916 to James and Blanche Sears Wood, she grew up in the North Country in Riverview, where she spent most of her life with her husband of 44 years, Dyce T. Saari, who passed away in 1985. Part of a proud, French-Canadian heritage, Lula and her seven siblings grew up on their father's farm. After graduating from Sallaz Academy High School in Redford, NY, Lu, as she was known to her family and friends, met a handsome sailor, Dyce Saari, in Buffalo, NY. Lu and Dyce fell in love and were married in 1941. After a decade in Buffalo the two returned to Lu's beloved, childhood community in the North Country - now with five children in tow. When the children left the nest, Lu and Dyce began to spend winters in Florida. Lu loved the ocean and the respite from the harsh winters of the North Country. Following her husband's death Lu moved to Saratoga Springs in 1999 to be near her children. Nonetheless, she continued to return often to her Little House. Lu is survived by her five children, Duane Saari of Saratoga Springs and his wife Nancy; Sheila Verner of Clifton Park and her husband Jerry; Maureen Wildman of Brentwood, TN, and her husband Kent; Marc Saari of Tempe, AZ, and Denise Carpenter of Rome, NY, and her husband Jeff. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren - Eric and Vanessa Saari, Trevor Johansen, Renee Cowles, Dycee Wildman, Jason Saari, Dan, Faith and Darren Carpenter, Melissa Quinn and a great-grandson, Daniel Dyce Carpenter. She was predeceased by four siblings, Mildred Ethier, Elline Cox, Mayfred Dewyea and Dick Wood, and is survived by three sisters, Edna Raymond, Marjorie Rezey, Gem Islas, a brother-in-law, Tom Islas, a sister-in-law Treas Wood and many nephews and nieces. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St. in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 pm Wednesday, May 5, 2010 from the Church of the Assumption in Redford. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street in Plattsburgh. Online condolences and memorial candles may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com