Mrs. Hazel E. LaBarre

Hazel E. Titus LaBarre, 96, formerly of the Star Rd., Ellenburg died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017 at the Clinton County Nursing Home, Plattsburgh. Born on May 26, 1920 in Bellmont, NY, she was the daughter of Ernest and Josephine (LaPlante) Titus. She was married to Bruce H. LaBarre in St. Patrick’s Church, Chateaugay on Aug. 12, 1940 by Rev. J. McClure. He predeceased her on Sept. 19, 2008. Hazel, the youngest in her family of ten, had eight brothers and one sister. She often recalled her childhood and the two mile walk to a one room schoolhouse. She often talked of working on the family farm, milking cows by hand and haying with the horse drawn rake. Her favorite memory was of her Shetland pony that she loved to ride and care for. While growing up she learned to play the violin from her father. She played at many square dances and once won 1st place in a fiddler’s contest. In 1940, she married Bruce LaBarre and moved to Ellenburg where they operated a farm on the Star Road. In the early 1950’s, she attended Austin Beauty School in Albany and upon completion opened a beauty shop in her home. In 1958, she was appointed the first woman Supervisor in the Town of Ellenburg to assume her husband’s duties when he was involved in an accident and unable to. Hazel was active spiritually. She taught Christian Doctrine at St. Edmund’s, was Eucharistic Minister and a long time member of both the Catholic Daughters and Altar and Rosary Society. She was also a board member of Our Lady of the Adirondacks House of Prayer. Hazel enjoyed flowers but her most special treat was to watch the wide variety of birds she attracted to her bird feeders. She was especially proud to show the many hummingbirds that she fed from her feeders. She also liked watching the wild turkeys and the deer behind her home. She enjoyed the winter months in New Port Richey, FL and later at their apartment in Plattsburgh. Hazel was an avid spiritual reader, letter writer and thank you note sender. Her family and friends meant a great deal to her and she always let them know it. She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and always had something special for them. Her thoughtfulness and caring will surely be missed. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Gerald Vaincourt of Ellenburg Center; a son and daughter-in-law, Gerard and Leta LaBarre of Ellenburg Center; sisters-in-law, Rose Oliver of Plattsburgh, Deniege LaBarre of Plattsburgh; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Charles and Betty LaBarre of New Mexico; grandchildren, Susanne Schronce and her husband, Randy of Bolivia NC, Peter Yelle and his wife, Liana of Honolulu, HA, Sherri Kowalowski and her husband, Jerry of Plattsburgh, Vicki Dauphinais and her husband, Treavor of Plattsburgh, Jamie Maggy and her husband, Chris of Plattsburgh, Jonathan LaBarre and his wife, Mindy of Ellenburg Depot, Eric Otis and his companion, Bonnie Robbins of Bellmont; step-grandchildren, Michele McGeachie and her husband, Dan of Constable, Lisa Soulier and her husband Dave of Bridgeport, Todd Reardon and his wife Stephani of Canandaigua; great-grandchildren, Brenden and Nicholas Yelle, Libby Schronce, Kellen and Kaden Kowalowski, Kiara Maggy, Ava Dauphinais, Kenna LaBarre; several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Roy, Gene, Ray, Lawrence, John, Maurice, Roderick “Bill” and a sister, Florence Merrill. The family will greet family and friends at St. Peter’s Church, Plattsburgh on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 9 to 10 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 10 am in the church. Spring burial will take place at St. Edmund’s Cemetery, Ellenburg. Donations in her memory may be made to Clinton County Nursing Home Activity Fund, 16 Flynn Ave. Plattsburgh, NY 12901 for their outstanding care while she was there.

Mrs. Hazel E. LaBarre

May 26, 1920 - February 2, 2017