Lesley Bradley Larsen Albert, 78, of West Stockbridge died July 6, 2020, surrounded by her family. She was born in Pittsfield on June 26 and was the quintessential middle child. She graduated from Pomeroy Elementary, Windsor Mountain School and Bishop Memorial School of Nursing at Pittsfield General Hospital, now Berkshire Medical Center.
She married the love of her life, Earl W. Albert, in December 1966, and they bought Loeb’s Foodtown of Lenox in 1968. Together, they delighted all who had the pleasure to shop there with wonderful food, and great customer service always with a smile. She was the person who would greet each and every person that came to the store each morning often by name, sharing a bit of trivia and the Sox score from the night before. Together Earl and Lesley built their business, recently retiring after 51 years in 2019. They set an example by showing the value of hard work, treating people with compassion, and always caring for their customers as if they were family. Lesley also worked part time as the school nurse for Berkshire Country Day School in Lenox for several years.
Lesley loved her family above all, showing them how important they were to her each day. She led by example, always showing understanding and affection. Her nursing expertise made her the first contact for those unsure of what to do with any kind of symptom, always providing calm guidance even when people were in panic mode. She, with Earl, welcomed so many with the biggest Fourth of July gatherings, amazing Christmas parties and Thanksgiving feasts, and they even could make an everyday lunch feel special. She especially loved Christmas and the Fourth of July, and celebrated both with grandeur. How many people decorate a Christmas and a Fourth of July tree? She enjoyed traveling with her family and friends, with the trips to Ogunquit, Maine, and Walt Disney World, especially with the Merlino family, being among her favorites. She would start each day with the hottest black coffee she could make. She loved all sports but adored the Boston Red Sox; she rarely missed a game. She cherished her son and her grandsons and loved them beyond measure. Along with her husband, they were her pride and joy each and every day. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.
Lesley is survived by her loving husband, Earl; son Michael and wife Shawn Lewis Albert; three grandsons: Andrew, Brendan and Evan Albert; Xena Wallin Kammers and husband Joseph of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey; Beth Wallin Parsons and husband Carl of Falls Village, Connecticut; great-nieces Sarah Virginia Kammers of Middletown, New Jersey, and Rebecca Elisabeth Kammers of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey; and many wonderful, lifelong friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Wilbert “Bud” A. and Virginia Lyman Larsen; a brother: Lane E. Larsen; sister Marian H. Larsen Wallin; and her brother-in-law, James Lee Wallin.
Due to the current pandemic, services for Lesley will be private. A memorial service will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Lesley’s memory may be made to either the Jimmy Fund or HospiceCare in the Berkshires, both in care of Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240. To share memories and stories, visit rochefuneralhome.com.
