Virginia L. Labbe
SMITHFIELD – Virginia L. Labbe “Ginny”, “Jenny”, born Sept. 24, 1944, passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 29, 2023, at the age of 78.
Ginny was born in Sidney on the Middle Road. Her birth was one of the last home births at that time. At the young age of 1, she moved to San Marcos, Texas, with her parents until the age of 6. On the return to Maine, they bought an old camp on Messalonskee Lake, Oakland, which they moved across the ice, to a lot on the east side of the Lake. During that summer they lived in a tent while remodeling the camp which became her year-round home until she graduated from Williams High School in 1963.
On Aug. 11, 1971, Virginia married the love of her life, Michael Labbe. Mike and Ginny worked hard raising five children while building a home on Messalonskee Lake in Sidney. During that time Virginia worked for Coughlin Real Estate Agency as a sales associate and office manager.
Her love of life was no secret to anyone who knew her. She was always seeking out adventures with her family. Many fond family memories were of her carrying her favorite rod to numerous bodies of water to catch brook trout from the Maine brooks to the massive rivers and lakes of Quebec and Labrador. She always dreamed of the next fishing trip before the one she was on was over.
She was ready for the snow to fly when the fishing season ended. Snowmobiling was her winter passion. She was often seen signing the trails or running a snowmobile business, Dana’s Rental, in Jackman, with her husband, Mike, and son, Dana. After a day of work or riding, she and Mike could often be found at the Northland Hotel owned by Margaret Hall, telling tales of snowmobiling and trail conditions with Gerry Smith and fellow riders. She was an avid snowmobiler throughout Maine and Quebec for the last 50 years, always looking forward to her spring ride in the Gaspe’ Peninsula with Mike, her long-time friend, Sue Milspaugh, along anyone who would like to join them.
Virginia was predeceased by her parents Bernard and Annie Ratliff Bulmer; and her daughter, Lorna Labbe Brackett.
She was survived by her husband, Mike Labbe; her children, Rick Labbe and wife Nancy, Dana Labbe and wife Barbara, Michael Labbe, Jeffery Labbe and wife Tracy. Virginia is also survived by her grandchildren, Tyler Brackett, Maureen Brackett Mosher, Mercedes Labbe, Ciera Labbe Lambert, and Jenna Labbe Murray, step-grandchildren, Jack and Christopher Belyeu; several great-grandchildren; aunts; nieces, and nephews.
Celebration of life will be held at the Smithfield Fairview Grange on Sept. 24, from 2-5 p.m. A family graveside service will be held at a future date.
Arrangements are in the care of Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Oakland, where condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at http://www.lawrybrothers.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to
The Jackman Border Riders Sportsman’s Club,
P.O. Box 413,
Jackman, ME 04945
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