Yvette Theresa (LaCroix) Van Etten, 90, formerly of North Walpole, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully with her children and grandchildren by her side, in Watertown, New York on August 26, 2025.

Yvette was born on November 5, 1934, in Gilman, Vermont, the daughter of Henry LaCroix and Emelina Drouin. Yvette would move to Littleton, New Hampshire as a teenager to work for a local, prominent family as an Au Pair. This enabled her to not only help her mother financially with four other siblings, but it also taught Yvette discipline and work ethic at an early age.

After graduating from Littleton High School in 1952, Yvette attended beauty school and pursued a career as a beautician. Upon graduation, she was placed in Bellows Falls, Vermont, where she worked as a beautician in a salon owned by Joe Lyons. Soon after, Yvette opened her first beauty salon at 115 Rockingham Street, in the fall of 1959. It was in Bellows Falls a year earlier, where Yvette met James Van Etten, who was working for a finance company. They were married at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls on October 18, 1958, which was also Jim’s birthday. The couple picked that day because Jim never wanted to forget the date of their anniversary. Yvette and Jim would be happily married for 53 years.

That same year, 1958, the Van Ettens bought a house in North Walpole on Mountain View Road, and moved “up on the hill” where Yvette would open a salon in her home, which also allowed her to closely raise her three children.

Yvette would work long shifts, quickly develop a loyal clientele and built a successful salon over four decades. Through the years, she employed several other stylists who would also become lifelong friends, as well as developing countless friendships with patrons of all ages with her kindness, quick wit and sense of humor.

When she wasn’t working, Yvette really enjoyed entertaining her family and friends. Nothing pleased her more than cooking a delicious dinner for all to enjoy, as her motto was always “The more, the merrier!” Yvette also enjoyed being entertained, and was often known to say “If you don’t really want me to go, don’t invite me, because you know I am going to say ‘Yes!’”

In 2001, Yvette and Jim moved to Lafayette, Louisiana, and in retirement, enjoyed a decade of “living their best lives,” before Jim passed away on May 22, 2011. After her beloved husband’s passing, Yvette continued to enjoy her life in Lafayette, spending another decade with her children and grandchildren down south, before moving back north, to Chaumont, New York, in 2021, to happily spend her days with her “northern” family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Yvette was predeceased by her husband, Jim, her parents, Henry LaCroix and Emelina Drouin, her younger brothers, Paul and Leo LaCroix, younger sister, Ida LaCroix, and granddaughter, Caitlyn Grace Van Etten. Yvette is survived by her younger brother, Albert LaCroix, sister, Gisele Lugar, daughter, Gisele Perry of Chester, Vermont, son, James Van Etten of Watertown, New York, son, Michael Van Etten of Lafayette, Louisiana, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family has planned a graveside service for both Yvette and James on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 10 AM at the Glenwood Cemetery in Littleton, New Hampshire. Following the service, there will be a celebration of “two wonderful lives” at the American Legion Hall, also in Littleton.