Louise Labarge

Obituary for Louise LaBarge

Louise LaBarge, 88, passed away on January 2, 2010. She was born July 11, 1921 at 31 Park Street, Tupper Lake to Charles Knox and Josephine Clark Knox.

She attended the local Public Schools and graduated from Tupper Lake High School in 1939. While in High School, she was active in both the Tupper Lake High School Band and Orchestra, playing the trumpet. She was Assistant Editor in chief of the Senior Year Book, was active in the Dramatic Society (playing a major role in several productions) and in Public Speaking. She was Treasurer of the graduating class, and a member of the Pep Club. When a Senior she was elected as Queen of the Prom and her future husband, Berton LaBarge, was the King.

Louise spent many of her summers while a teenager as a Counselor at the Music Camp “Camp Undercliff” on Lake Placid. Here she was a member of the band and orchestra, and a Life Guard in charge of the Intermediate group of girls.

After graduation from High School, Louise attended Russell Sage College in Troy, NY where she majored in Secretarial Science and minored in Spanish. She was Secretary of the Christian Association at the college and a member of Box and Candle, the honorary Dramatic Society. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Education in May, 1943.

A few months after graduation, Louise went to work for the Hawkeye Division of Eastman Kodak in Rochester NY, which made height finders and lenses during the war. She remained there for several years until her Father died and then returned to Tupper Lake to be with her Mother. In Tupper Lake, she worked first for Mr. Ralph Hastings in a Secretarial position, then for Mercy General Hospital in the Office and Records Department. It was during this time that she became reacquainted with her former classmate, Berton LaBarge, who had returned from the war.

Louise and Berton were married in Tupper Lake October 4th, 1946. Patricia Steshka was bridesmaid and Willard LaBarge, brother of the groom, was best man. Louise continued working at the hospital until Berton purchased Clark Lumber Company, and then worked in the office there. When their family was started Louise gladly remained home as a full time Mother.

As a Mother and housewife she did much volunteer work including Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, Religion Teacher, Chairperson of the Cancer Drive, Member of the Hospital Auxiliary, and President of the Tupper Lake Fine Arts Society. Later she worked at Dixie Lee in Tupper Lake after her husband Berton and son Jeff started that business on Demars Blvd.

After the death of her beloved husband, she continued to spend winters in Palm City Florida and summers on Simon Pond Road in Tupper Lake, often visiting her children in Charlotte, NC, Adams, NY and Syracuse, NY. Most recently she lived with and was cared for by her daughter Cherie and son-in-law Yvan Bourque in Adams, NY.

Louise was predeceased by her husband Berton and sister Janice, and is survived by her son , Jeffery and his wife Nell of Charlotte, NC, her son Jay and his wife Sandy of Syracuse NY, her daughter Cherie and her husband Yvan Bourque of Adams, NY, and four grandchildren; Ivan Paul and Christopher Bourque of Adams, and Ashley and Kara Louise LaBarge of Syracuse.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Alphonsus Church in Tupper Lake on Thursday, January 7th at 11:00 AM. Contributions in lieu of flowers to the Tupper Lake Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Squad. Online condolences may be made at www.stuartfortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.