Irene May (Laprade) Labrie left this world at the age of 94 on May 11, 2022, following a period of declining health.
Born May 8, 1928 in Easthampton, Irene was the daughter of the late George and Amanda (Lapointe) Laprade. Irene's mom passed away and at age 11, she left school to become the caregiver of her 9 siblings. This has been her life's work ever since. She married Armand Labrie and recently celebrated 71 years of marriage.
Irene helped care for many elderly relatives, neighbors, and family friends over the years. She was happiest when serving others. She was the best Memere to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She could calm a crying baby when no one else was able to. She had the magic touch and the patience of a saint.
Irene was a member of the Notre Dame Parish, and later Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Easthampton. In her younger years, she volunteered there, teaching CCD, working in the kitchen at the parish festival, and helping out with the 500 Club.
At home, she enjoyed playing cards, planting flowers, and put up hundreds of canning jars during the garden season. Family was everything to her and she enjoyed cooking for her large clan, as anyone driving by could attest to the 25-40 people she hosted every Sunday night.
In her later years as her health declined, she never complained and was very grateful to her caregivers. If you asked how she was, the answer was always "no complaints, I'm in good hands". And that she was, under the amazing care of her daughter, Theresa, to which the family is forever grateful.
She leaves her sons, Bob (Laurie) Labrie of VT, Tom (Corinne) and George (Louise) Labrie, daughter Theresa Morse all of Southampton, son-in-law Paul Plourd of Westfield, 20 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
She also leaves her sister, Edna Laliberte, brother Donald (Alice) Laprade, sisters-in-law Lorraine and Doraleen Laprade, half-sister Sue Roddy, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was predeceased by her daughter, Sue Plourd, son-in-law Ken Morse, grandson Andrew Morse, sisters Jeanne Laprade and Helena Perras (Henry), brothers Ernest, Edmond (Yvette), Gerald, Roland, Wilfred (Evelyn) and Fr. George Laprade, brother-in-law Arthur Laliberte, and step mother Helen.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Cooley Dickinson Hospice Team for their wonderful care and support.
Her funeral will be held Monday at 11AM at the Boucher-O'Brien Funeral Home, 7 Pleasant Street, Easthampton, followed with a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Valley Church, 33 Adams Street, Easthampton. Burial in St. Brigid's Cemetery in Easthampton. Calling hours are Sunday 3-5PM at the Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, P.O. Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061.