MRS. LOIS V. LABEAU

BOSTON – Mrs. Lois V. LaBeau, 92, a dedicated community volunteer worker, died Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, at a Boston hospital, after a short illness. Mrs. LaBeau was born July 4, 1918, in Palmer, Mass., the daughter of Howard B. Small and Anna (Cook) Small. She was a descendant of the Mayflower settlers of Cape Cod, Mass., and of Gen. Joseph Warren of the Revolutionary War fame. She was also a member of the Wing family tree of Cape Cod, Mass. Mrs. LaBeau and her husband operated Joseph R. LaBeau Funeral Home, Orono, for 40 years. While there, she was active in many projects for the betterment and beautification of the community. Among her projects was the restoration of the community center, a building in dilapidated condition and ready for demolition. She arranged for a fraternity from the university to voluntarily restore the building to its present state and is now the Keith Anderson Community Building. Mrs. LaBeau also raised sufficient funds to protect the ornate stained glass windows in the structure. She served on many Orono town committees and was a checker at the polls for many elections. Mrs. LaBeau took pride in knowing a great percentage of the voters. She was an ardent Republican, a member of Orono Republican Town Committee and attended many state Republican conventions. Mrs. LaBeau was the state women’s chairman for the election of Richard M. Nixon in 1968, and attended his inauguration by invitation in Washington, D.C. A loving mother and wife, she used her earnings as a census enumerator and team leader during the 1970 census to purchase a 23-inch console color TV for her family’s enjoyment. For the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, Mrs. LaBeau was a member of the Orono bicentennial committee and she organized a huge parade consisting of floats, marching bands and hundreds of Shriner’s from around New England. To round out the day, she had obtained permission from the university to use the athletic field and bleachers for a concert and fireworks display. The fireworks were made possible by donations from Orono merchants and service clubs. July Fourth, being her birthday, a tribute, complete with applause, was given her from those attending for her efforts in creating a gala event, and in celebration of her birthday. Mrs. LaBeau realized the need for a day to be set aside for a community celebration in the down town area so she came up with the concept of “Orono Day,” a day full of entertainment, food, speakers, merchant and club participation, community gathering, and even a dance. A date was chosen and with the assistance of many citizens’, the first “Orono Day” was born. Some 25 years later, “Orono Day” continues as an annual event. An avid doll collector, Mrs. LaBeau amassed a large collection of antique dolls. She devoted much time to the study of her hobby and lectured at many groups throughout the state of Maine. She also sold and displayed her dolls a many antique shows in Maine and Massachusetts. Other than a few special dolls, she disposed of her collection several years ago. She received the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal for being “an adult native-born American citizen who has displayed leadership, trustworthiness, service and patriotism.” She also received commendations from Orono-Old Town Kiwanis Club and several letters of appreciation from the town of Orono. She was a former member of Orono Woman’s Club, Esther Ayers Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and Church of Universal Fellowship, and many other clubs and organizations. In 1983 her husband sold the funeral home and they retired to Warwick, R.I. She served as president of Warwick (R.I.) Garden Club for five years and was instrumental in building the membership to an all-time high. Noting the run down condition of a local shopping mall, she organized the club members to hold a signature campaign at the mall, pointing out its many deficiencies. With a large number of signatures in hand, she met with the owners of the mall, pointing out her concerns, as well as those of the other citizens. Her efforts were rewarded when the parking lot was re-paved, storefronts spruced up and other general improvements made. The location now hosts a Wal-Mart, Citizen’s Bank and McDonald’s. Further, noting a lack of flowers on various city properties, she arranged for the club to plant tulips and other annuals around the post office, schools, city hall and other sites. She was a member of the Mayor’s Beautification Committee and through her efforts, a green house was erected, a master gardener was retained and seedlings were grown for planting by Warwick R.I. residents. She and her husband were married for 69 years. They were residents of Revere, Mass., for the past eight years. She is survived by her husband, Joseph R. LaBeau Jr. of Revere, Mass.; one son, Joseph R. LaBeau III of Saugus, Mass.; a brother, Ivan Ray Small of Freeport; several very special nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter, Judith Ann LaBeau of Revere, Mass.; one brother, Howard I. Small of Yarmouth; and two sisters, Jeanne DuMont of Augusta and Thelma H. Small of Revere, Mass. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick. Relatives and friends are invited to call 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday. Interment will be afterward at Riverside Cemetery, Brunswick.