It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Judith C. LaBelle on October 14, 2024, at the age of 80. Judy was born on January 22, 1944, in Springfield, MA, to Normand and Beatrice (Carroll) LaBelle. She was predeceased by her father, Normand, her mother, Beatrice, and her brother, Edward.
Judy, or “Jude,” as her friends liked to call her, graduated from Springfield Technical Community College as a Medical Laboratory Technician.
Her greatest passion was animals. She worked as a veterinary technician alongside her great friend, Dr. Lorraine Fournier, in Somers, CT, for over 30 years.
In addition to her veterinary work, she managed the Somersville Spirit Shoppe for several years. She also worked simultaneously for the Somers Police Department. After leaving the veterinary field, she transitioned to working at Anocoil Corporation in Rockville, CT, as a lab technician in the Research & Development Lab.
Judy was a wonderful individual known for her dry, humorous wit, her loving and caring nature, and her talent for storytelling. Her skills extended to photography and woodworking. She cherished game nights with friends and was a devoted Red Sox, and UCONN Women’s Basket Ball fan.
She loved spending time at her Vermont home. There, she and her best friend of over thirty years, Diane, enjoyed kayaking, hiking, long walks along scenic paths, and birding, especially with their Westie, Bailey.
Judy captured her love for the outdoors and photography not only in Vermont but on a once-in-a-lifetime trip she and Diane took to Alaska. Her stunning photos from there times away would eventually fill the walls of their home.
Judy is survived by her best friend, Diane Butler of Feeding Hills MA, her ‘adopted’ family, Katie(Hallock), Ryan, and Kailey Butler, who loved her dearly. She also leaves behind her lifelong great friends Dotty, Patty Ann, and Annie. As well as Phil and Danny.
Her departure leaves an unfillable void in our hearts. She will be greatly missed, but we are comforted by the peace she has found.
All arrangements will be private.
Donations in Judy’s memory can be made to Dakin Humane Society, 171 Union Street Springfield, MA 01105. Shriners Children’s Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Drive Tampa, FL 33607. The West Springfield Parish Cupboard, 738 Main Street West Springfield, MA 01089
For online condolences, visit forastiere.com.