CAROLYN MARIE LAFARR BENTLEY

SHOREHAM — Carolyn Marie LaFarr Bentley was born in Glens Falls, N.Y., Oct. 31, 1937. She was the second child and first daughter of five children, brother Henry “Hank”, Margaret “Peg”, Betty Jean, and Mary Ellen.

She was predeceased by her parents, Harold and Elizabeth, (Bordeaux) LaFarr, and her brother Hank and sister Peg and husband John (Jack) Bentley. She graduated from Hudson Falls School, and spent her last year in Hudson Falls living with an aunt, while the rest of the family moved to Salem, N.Y., where her dad and mom purchased the Ondawa Hotel.

She met John Bentley, through her mother at the Ondawa. “Jack” and Collie were married Nov. 19, 1960, during deer hunting season! They started their family of three children. The first child, John was born in 1961, James in 1963, and Robin 1965. She is survived by her children, who were at her side at the lake in her passing. She is also survived by her grandchildren and joy of her life, Haley Bentley and Ethan and Eric Hebert.

Collie worked at Agway in Salem and raised her family there. She was a dedicated mom who never missed a ball game, school event or activity. She was always there for her family and friends. She coached little league and story has it, stepped in for the boys’ team when Jack wasn’t able to make it. They won that game and was the talk of many times about it.

She and Jack loved children and any kid that showed up in the Bentley household was welcome with open arms. In their retirement Collie and Jack hosted many family and friends at the lake for weekends and holidays. Many meals were made for all who entered. It was their pleasure and joy for sure. One of Collie’s favorite pastimes was her trips to the Casinos with friends and family. She loved the one arm bandits. Collie also worked at Neat Repeats and made many good friends there too. Collie cared for Jack until his passing in 2018. They are both together now. She passed away Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, at camp like Jack did, with her family by her side.

She had so many good friends and family, really too many to name, but a few who come to mind in her last years and were very good to her are Carolyn Bronson and neighbors, Jean Sawyer and Rodger Willard. Also, the Bronson brothers, who saw that her steps were shoveled and driveway always cleared, and the folks from Shorewell Community Health who took terrific care and tended to her in her last days are very much appreciated.

Services will be held Friday, Sept. 25, at 11 a.m., at the Holy Cross Church, 249 North Main St, Salem, N.Y. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Salem following the service and reception will follow at the Salem Vol. Fire Department, 53 South Main St., Salem.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial gifts to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 or the Salem Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 360, Salem, NY 12865 in Collie’s honor.

To express your sympathy or share a memory of Collie, please visit www.gariepyfuneralhomes.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, Inc., Salem. ◊