Vicki Jo (Bruce) Lafontaine

Vicki Jo (Bruce) Lafontaine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, teacher, and friend. Whether doting on her grandkids, enjoying an afternoon with friends, or working with the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, Vicki’s warmth and kindness were clear to everyone who was lucky enough to meet her. Vicki passed away peacefully on July 13, 2024 after a years-long battle with corticobasal degeneration. 

Vicki is survived by her husband Bill, her children Ben (Aimee) Lafontaine, Jami (Bryan) Dougherty, and Steve (Liz) Lafontaine, six grandchildren: Will Lafontaine (17), Jack Lafontaine (13), Colin Dougherty (14), Cormac Dougherty (10), Alden Lafontaine (7), and Maeve Lafontaine (2). She is also survived by her brother Scott Bruce, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and adoring close friends.

Vicki was born in Oak Park, IL on August 22, 1951 to Herb and Lynn (Rosengren) Bruce. After moving from a small apartment in Berwyn, the Bruces moved into a home that they’d built themselves in Glen Ellyn. Growing up, Vicki enjoyed playing with and caring for her little brother, Scott, and made amazing lifelong friends through school, Sea Scouts, and many other clubs and organizations. After graduating from Glenbard West in 1969, she attended Northern Illinois University. There, she studied elementary education and met her husband and partner for life, Bill Lafontaine. 

After graduating early from NIU, she and Bill were married on April 7, 1973. After a year in Joliet, they moved back to Glen Ellyn. As both a mom and grandma, Vicki could be found helping to support her kids and grandkids through clubs, sports, and a seemingly endless stream of school-related activities. While she never really enjoyed cooking, she loved baking for (and with) her kids and grandkids. Bill’s nickname for Vicki (“Keebs”) was short for the “Keebler Elf.”

After her kids were grown, Vicki returned to teaching in District 41. First, she was a substitute teacher, then the substitute teacher coordinator, and finally, a 5th grade teacher at Churchill Elementary School. As much as she enjoyed her students and colleagues, she left the classroom to help love and take care of her grandkids. 

Over the past couple of years, Vicki and Bill have struggled with a variety of health issues. While Bill’s Parkinson’s was quickly diagnosed, Vicki braved a series of surgeries and myriad diagnoses before doctors determined that her memory, balance, and other issues were caused by corticobasal degeneration (a rare form of Parkinson’s). While she experienced so many physical and neurological changes, her love for her family and friends was a constant. Seeing her grandkids, children, and friends always made her smile. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research: Online at https://www.michaeljfox.org/ or by mail, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777

Per her wishes, a celebration of life will be held at First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn at 11 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2024, 535 Forest Avenue, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137.

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