DEXTER – Genevieve “Buddy” LaBarge, 81, was called home to the Lord after a long illness Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2005, at Mount Saint Joseph Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family. She was born Sept. 17, 1924, in Philadelphia, Pa., the daughter of William and Genevieve (Colvey) Duffy. She attended St. Andrews Catholic grade school and graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1942. She attended Pierce Business School for two years accepting a position at the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia working for engineers in the Navy Department with the U.S. Bureau of Ships. Growing up she enjoyed a variety of activities, especially reading, archery, and the horse-riding club. Her family spent summers at the New Jersey shore where she met her husband of 43 years, Dr. Howard LaBarge. They were married Nov. 17, 1945, and made their home in Dexter. Genevieve, nicknamed “Buddy”, loved being a doctor’s wife. She assisted with patients in the office, at their home, and made frequent house calls with Howie. Buddy was a sportswoman and a good sport. When not working or caring for her family, she spent leisure time hunting deer, fishing for salmon on the Miramichi River or just watching a good football game alongside of her husband. She was most proud of her family, and raised four children. For many years, she cared for her mother-in-law, who lived with them during the summer months. Widowed in 1988, she then enjoyed traveling to the Caribbean, Italy, Alaska, Nova Scotia and Ireland with her brother, Fr. David Duffy. Buddy was gifted with a strong faith and served God and her church in various capacities. She taught CCD, was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, and the Parish Council. She also was an Eucharistic Minister and regularly took Holy Communion to the homebound. She nurtured her faith with daily prayer, regular Mass attendance, recitation of the rosary and was an avid reader of Catholic publications. She kept active as a volunteer for the Dexter Public Health Association and was president for two years. She was a member of the Dexter Sunshine Club and served on the local school board for several terms. She loved to knit, crochet, swim and had a passion for playing bridge. Her bridge group shared a special friendship, and she enjoyed life to the fullest. Buddy is survived by her three brothers, William Duffy of Pittsburgh, Pa., Rev. David Duffy, OSA of Malvern, Pa., and Francis Duffy and wife, Virginia, of Hilton Head, S.C.; a sister-in-law, Betty LaBarge of Fayetteville, N.Y.; her four children, Cathie Frost and husband, Dennis, of Newark, Del., William LaBarge of LaJolla, Calif., Mary Ellen Fletcher and husband, Kenneth, of Winslow, and Susan Clukey of Cheshire, Conn.; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, Eric Frost and wife, Meg, and children, Rebecca and Matthew, Leslie (Frost) Lupin and husband, Frank, and children, Monica, Laura, and Dennis, David Frost and fianc?e, Heather Sikorski, Jennifer (LaBarge) Spangler and husband, Jason, Julie LaBarge, Monica, Leigh, Alison, Paul and Janna Clukey; several cousins, nieces, and nep-hews. Buddy’s family wishes to thank all her doctors, nurses, priests, religious sisters, and the numerous angels of mercy who lovingly cared for her over the years allowing her independence at home. Also, a special thank you to all the staff at Mount Saint Joseph Nursing Home for their compassion and love. Out of respect for Buddy’s wishes, there will be no public visiting hours. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 59 Free St., Dexter, with the Rev. David Duffy officiating. Interment will follow immediately after the Mass at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Dexter. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mount Saint Joseph Nursing Home, 7 Highwood St., Waterville, ME 04901 or the Augustinian Order for retired priests in care of the Rev. Donald Reilly, Prior Provincial, St. Augustine Friary, Box 340, Villanova, PA 19085. Arrangements are by the Crosby & Neal Funeral Home, Dexter.
GENEVIEVE M. LABARGE
