Sister Claire Labbee CSJ

WATERVILLE – Sister Claire Labbee, formerly known as Sr. Thérèse d’Avila, died on Jan. 20, 2023, at Mount Joseph, Waterville, after a brief illness. She was 88 years old and in her 68th year as a Sister of St. Joseph of Lyon.

Claire was born on Aug. 27, 1934, in Jay, Maine, the daughter of Donat and Emelda Samson Labbee and the youngest of seven children. She attended St. Rose of Lima school in Chisholm and the Academy of St. Joseph in South Berwick, graduating in 1952. She earned a BA in Math and Science from Lamennais College in Alfred, Maine in 1962 and later, a master’s degree in Education from Boston College in 1975.

She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon in 1953 and made her First Vows on Aug. 15, 1955. Sister Claire taught at Holy Family School, Lewiston, Sacred Heart School, Auburn, the Academy of St. Joseph, South Berwick, and Mount Merici School, Waterville. After receiving her master’s degree, she served as Religious Education Coordinator at St. Louis Parish, Auburn. She was in leadership from 1977-1987 as Provincial of the Sisters in Maine and on the Provincial Team from 1993-1999 and again from 2005-2011. Certified in Clinical Pastoral Education from Andover Newton Theological School, she then ministered as a chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston and Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home in Waterville. There, she founded the Mission and Pastoral Care Department. She retired from the Mount in 2007. In her retirement she visited and prayed with other residents as well as staff at the Mount and was the primary author of a book of one-page biographies of every Sister of St. Joseph who has served in Maine over their 115 year history.

Sr. Claire was generous in her appreciation of those around her and unafraid to speak out if she believed something was wrong. She always advocated for the employees wherever she worked and sought to include the workers’ voice in any decisions.

She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Evelina Caron, and her brothers Rosaire, Emile, Fernand, and Leo.

She is survived by the Sisters of St. Joseph, with whom she shared life and ministry; her dear brother Rene, with whom she spoke by phone every evening; and many beloved nieces, nephews, their spouses, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; along with many friends and former coworkers with whom she stayed in touch.

The Sisters wish to thank the staff and residents of Mount Joseph for their loving care and presence, as well as MaineGeneral Hospice for their services in her final days.

Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 25, 10 a.m., at Notre Dame Church in Waterville. Visitation will be at 9 a.m., at Notre Dame proceeding the Mass. A reception will follow at the Notre Dame Parish Hall.

The Mass will be livestreamed via zoom. To receive the link, send an email to connect@csjmaine.org no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for the mission of the sisters may be made to the Sisters of Saint Joseph and mailed to 80 Garland, Road, Winslow ME 04901.