Jean Elizabeth (Mello) LaBelle, 86, of Dartmouth, passed away on November 20, 2016 after her brave battle with cancer. Jean was born in New Bedford on March 14, 1931. She graduated from New Bedford High School in 1949 and continued on to receive a Bachelors of Science in Education from Bridgewater State College in 1954.
Jean was a communicant of St. Julie Billiart Parish since its beginnings and remained actively involved with many of its ministries such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Sunshine and Ladies Guild. She may be best known for her long tenure working in the parish counting room. She was a recipient of the Marian Medal, recognizing her many years of service to her church community. Jean, at the time of her death, was a Director at Large for the St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary.
Jean was married to Dr. Paul O. LaBelle in July 1954, they were married 50 years up until his death in 2005.
Jean was a memorable educator to her students and colleagues for 41 years (1953-1995). She taught kindergarten for two years at the Mt. Pleasant School in New Bedford and the remainder of her career teaching 7th grade Language Arts in Dartmouth, at the Elmer Poole School and then at the Dartmouth Middle School. Upon her retirement she remained working for the school system in a variety of capacities: substitute teaching, calling in substitutes and middle school security. Her dedication to Dartmouth Public schools spanned a longevity of 63 years.
Jean’s mission was to help and serve others in need throughout her life. She demonstrated that consistently as a parent, friend, teacher and parishioner, Her work with the St. Vincent de Paul Society allowed her to impact the lives of countless families across many decades. Jean was happiest when with her two grandchildren, Ian and Hope. She was very involved in their upbringing from picking them up at school, sleep overs, supporting them at sporting events and quality time together. Her relationship with them was very influential in shaping the young adults they have become.
Jean is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth LaBelle and daughter-in-law Gina Cohan of Deerfield, NH, her son, Paul M. LaBelle and daughter-in-law Marcia of Dartmouth, her grandson, Ian LaBelle and his fiancé Christopher McNamara of Chicago, and granddaughter Hope (LaBelle) Bender and her husband Shane Bender of New Albany, IN. She also leaves behind a brother Edward Mello of New Bedford and several nieces and nephews in New Bedford and Virginia.
The family of Jean LaBelle wishes to thank the doctors and staff at the South Coast Oncology Center in Fairhaven as well as the administrative and nursing staff at the New Bedford Jewish Convalescent Home.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. The Funeral Mass will be held Friday at 10 AM at St. Julie Billiart Church in Dartmouth. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Road, Dartmouth, MA 02747. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.