Estelle Bienvenu Labbé

St. Martinville – A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2019, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church for Estelle “Tell” Labbé, 91, who passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Visiting hours were observed at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and continued on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
A rosary was prayed at 6:30 p.m. on Friday by Joseph and Brooke Summers.
Rev. Rusty P. Richard officiated at the Mass of Christian Burial. Readers were Bridget Latiolais and Sidney “Estelle” Ortego. Gift Bearers were Jennifer Greig, Natalie “Estelle” Pecoy, Hannah Latiolais and Gwen Tabor.
Interment followed at St. Michael Cemetery in St. Martinville.
A lifelong resident of St. Martinville, Estelle was known as Tell, MeMe, or Mrs. Labbé (to her former students). She was a graduate of Mercy High and SLI which is now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Mrs. Labbé taught at Catahoula Elementary for over 25 years. Her children loved hearing the enthusiastic recognition, “Your MaMa’s, Mrs. Labbe?”, knowing the loving praise that would follow.
She was a devoted wife, married to Robert “Bob” Labbe for nearly 50 years, until he passed away in 1998. Her kitchen counter was a favorite hangout for everyone, where there was always an endless flow of coffee, conversation, and unconditional love. Tell loved working in her garden and was delighted to have been awarded “Garden of the Month” many times. She loved taking trips to the beach with her sister, Sonja, and other family members, searching for seashells and sand dollars, which was one of her favorite pastimes.
Tell was an excellent dancer who, on occasion, would put on her tap shoes and put on a spontaneous performance. Never without a smile and a kind word, Tell will be remembered for her fun, loving nature, generous spirit, and selfless acts of charity. Her favorite charity was St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
She is survived by her loving daughters, Renee Labbé Blanchard of St. Martinville and Judy “Juju” Greig of St. Martinville; son, Robert “Robbie” Labbé and wife Jane Adair of New York, N.Y.; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Ortego and husband Clay of Broussard, Bridget Latiolais and husband Chad of St. Martinville, Scott Blanchard and wife Jessica of St. Martinville, Jennifer Greig of Lafayette, Jeremy Greig and wife Lauren of St. Martinville, Natalie Pecoy and husband Seth of Germany, and Wells Labbé of New York , N.Y.; 11 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; sister, Sonja B. Dupois of St. Martinville; and brother, Raymond “Eboo” Bienvenu Sr. of St. Martinville.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Labbé; daughter, Rachael Ann Labbé; father, Lee “Dune” Bienvenu; mother, Agatha Barras Bienvenu; step-mother, Elia “Mom Dune” Breaux Bienvenu; brother, Joseph “JC” Clairville Bienvenu; baby sister, Grace Bienvenu; son-in-law, Lynn “Butch” Blanchard; and brother-in-law, Sidney Dupois Jr.
Pallbearers were Scott Blanchard, Jeremy Greig, Wells Bienvenu Labbé, Chad Latiolais, Caleb Latiolais and Raymond Bienvenu Jr.
Honorary pallbearers were Raymond “Eboo” Bienvenu Sr., James “Jimbo” Bienvenu, Clay Ortego, Rex “Rocky” Landry Jr., Seth Pecoy and Leon “LeeLee” Russo.
Family would like to acknowledge the loving care that was given by Theresa Sam, Wanda Sullivan, Tammy Latiolais, Mary Reese and Hope Hospice to Mrs. Labbé and her family.
Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville was in charge of arrangements.
To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.