Jeannette L'Abbe

Jeannette L’Abbé was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island August 9th, 1922 to Shaheen and Carahme David. She grew up in Woonsocket and graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1941. She was employed as a secretary at a couple of local businesses in her hometown until she got the opportunity to move to Washington, D.C. after World War II began. For nearly two years, she served as a secretary for the Naval Department at the Pentagon. Later, she moved back to her home state and began her work as a secretary at Quonset Air Base until the end of the war. In 1945, she met John L’Abbé, her lifelong partner and husband of 72 years. John was stationed at Quonset and met Jeannette there. Being stationed at the gate point, he frequently saw Jeannette coming and going from work and the rest is history. As she and John grew their family in Woonsocket, she blossomed into the picture-perfect homemaker having two sons, Steve and Larry. 

In 1955 the family moved to Boise, Idaho where she and John lived out the remainder of their joy-filled lives. As a huge sports fan, she could often be found at any local ballpark rooting for her sons and other friends and family. The L’Abbé household was home to a number of the boy's friends as well as numerous relatives. Her sincere generosity left a lasting impression on her family as well as anyone who knew her. She served as a volunteer for 41 years at Monroe Grade School, helping teachers and students excel through her sharp mind and compassionate heart for others.

Jeannette is survived by her sons, Steve and Larry, granddaughters Deon, Danielle (Gary Damrell), and Roni (Craig Winters), grandsons Bryan (Corina Lloyd) and Justin (Laura Lloyd), great-granddaughter Gabriella, and “cousin” Matt. Special thank you to Steve, Deon, and Matt, as well as all the family and friends who came to visit, for many years of dedicated and compassionate care taking for both John and Jeannette L’Abbé, allowing them to live in their Boise home for nearly 70 years.

Jeannette lived over 101 years as the prime example of unfailing love.

Services will be held at St. Mary’s on Monday, April 15th. Viewing at 12pm, Rosary at 12:30pm, followed by Mass at 1pm.