Veronica Barrette

Veronica E. Barrette, 100, passed away peacefully on June 7, surrounded by her

loving family.

On April 5, 1911, Veron was born to Addie (Amell) LaBarge and Charles LaBarge, in Tupper Lake, where Veron would live the rest of her life. Veron was the middle child and had 4 brothers, Edgar, Clarence, Kermit, and Drummond, and 2 sisters, Beatrice and Bertha.

Veronica attended Holy Ghost Academy for grades 1-12, from which she graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1929. Veronica was the last surviving member of the class of 1929.

In November 1934, Veron was married to the once-in-a-lifetime “love of her life” Wilbur (Ted) Barrette, at the Holy Name Church, by Rev. Father Hurvieux. When Wilbur went overseas to fight in WWII, Veron worked as the “post mistress” at the Faust Post Office. With “privileges” as the “post mistress”, Wilbur never knew what to expect in the mail, sometimes cookies, sometimes wine, and sometimes samples of paint/shingles for the home she had purchased and was refurbishing for Wilbur's return. Veronica and Wilbur lost 3 children before the good Lord blessed the couple with their one and only child, Suzanne Marie. After the birth of Suzanne, Veronica quite the post office and did not return to work until Wilbur passed away after a heart attack took his life in 1958. She then went to work as a receptionist at Dr. Martin's office, before becoming Medical Records Librarian at Mercy Hospital.

Veronica retired at the age of 70, but not for long. She then became part of the Foster Grandparent program at Sunmount, being nominated as the “Volunteer of the Year” by the State of New York, receiving a formal citation the Governor at the Governor's Mansion in Albany.

Over the years Veron was recognized many times for her loving, selfless, and caring demur. She was famous for making her “special chicken soup”, and delivering it to anyone in need of nourishment. Always a “lady” Veron celebrated her 100th birthday on April 5, 2011 with friends and family. Veron had a heart as big as gold and a smile to match. Her love for her family was never ending.

Veronica is survived by her brother Drummond LaBarge and his wife Simon of Tupper Lake, her daughter Suzanne Keniston, her son-in-law Donald (Skip) Keniston, grandsons Jim Keniston and his companion Billy Jo Fletcher; Joe Keniston and his wife Betty, 3 great grandchildren Ayla Keniston, Mallory Keniston, and Stone Keniston all of Tupper Lake, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was a pillar of the community, respected and loved by all who had the good fortune to know her.

She was pre-deceased by her husband of 24 years, her parents, 3 brothers, and 2 sisters.

Calling hours will be Friday June 10 from 5 -7 p.m. at the Stuart-Fortune-Keough Funeral Home; a funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, June 11 at 10:00 at Holy Name Church with burial in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to the Mercy Health Care Activities Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.stuartfortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.