On May 3, 2022, Jeannine deLaBruere, age 83, transitioned peacefully to join her Lord with her five daughters at her side a few days after experiencing a massive stroke. She was the daughter of Winfred and Yvonne Lavigne in St. Eldridge, Québec, Canada. She and her family loved music and dancing.
Even though she didn’t speak English, at the age of 20 she moved to northeastern Vermont, where she raised her children. Her strong work ethic, customer service and bilingual skills were a valuable asset during her work in retail. Later in life she became a home caregiver for special needs and aging adults.
People loved Jeannine’s joy of life, sense of humor, contagious laugh and playful nature. Everyone looked forward to seeing her dress-up attire at senior events. She found joy in making people smile and saw beauty in everyone. But nowhere was her unconditional love more evident than in the love she gave her children and grandchildren. She couldn’t have been more proud of them and took every opportunity to share stories, photos and videos of each of them with both friends and strangers.
Jeannine was resilient, resourceful and always learning new things. After she got her first computer at age 50, she was hooked on technology, learning and then teaching others new ways to use her laptop, ipad, iphone and Apple Watch. Jeannine loved collecting and restoring gadgets that someone might need one day, especially when they were for “zero pennies.”
Her desire to be independent drove her to strive for a healthy lifestyle, which included a daily dose of apple cider vinegar, walking and often taking the stairs up to her eighth-floor Cathedral Square apartment in Burlington. Although, she never passed up a maple creemee.
Jeannine was a spiritual and moral compass for her family and many people in her life. Her strong faith resonated in every aspect of her life and allowed her to live life serving others as she never doubted God would take care of her, no matter what.
She is survived by her five daughters, Lucie deLaBruere, Joanne deLaBruere, Chantal deLaBruere O’Connor, Linda deLaBruere, and Kathy deLaBruere Jacobs; their partners/spouses; 14 grand and great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Auore Lavoie and Dolores Lavigne.
Jeannine is predeceased by her granddaughter Alexandra deLaBruere, brothers Leopold and Victor Lavigne, and sisters Marie-Paule Isabelle and Rita Lavigne.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Vermont Food Bank or to Age Well.
This article appears in Jun 8-14, 2022.
Joann, So sorry for you loss. Your mom sounds like she was an awesome person and I’m sure she’ll be missed. It’s been a long time and I hope you are well. Fitz
Lucie, Joanne, Linda, Chantal, and Kathy
I’ve known your mom, my aunt Jeannine ever since I was a student at the Sacred Heart High School when I got my first job in 1966 at the school cafeteria and for the summer working at their nursing home and had the opportunity to stay at my aunts home and watching her and uncle Gilles raise their young children. I will always remember their thoughtfulness in letting me stay with them.
Then in my later years 2011 after I lost my 3rd husband I invited aunt Jeannine to come and spend a winter with me in Florida. It was then that I really got to know what it was like to live with a real saint. She was just like my own mother another saint. We had such a good time, lots of good memories remain in my heart of all the qualities she had in her of love, generosity, peace, joy and the many walks we took together and prayed together. She will be missed by many who knew her like I did personally.
Diane DeLaBruere, Daniels, Peck, Wilcox, Jackson
Lucie, Joanne, Linda, Chantel and Kathy
I am so sorry for your loss. I have a lot of love and respect for Aunt Jeannine. She was very special to me. I spent so much time at her house growing up, I felt like you were a second family to me. She shared so much love and joyful laughter with so many. I have so many memories of her, but one memory that stands out is that Aunt Jeannine would make me something every year because she was my God Mother. That meant so much to me. I will be thinking about all of you today. I wish I could be there celebrating your Mom’s life, but I will be there in spirit. Your Mom went to be with Jesus, I know she is singing and dancing with Him in Heaven.
Love, Lynn
Lucy, Joanne, Linda, Chantal and Kathy
I wish I could be there in person to give my
condolences and celebrate her life. Aunt Jeannine had Jesus in her
heart and it showed in everything she did! She always acted and appeared so
young, dancing and loving life. I remember
spending a lot of time at her house. I’m so glad
she was a part of my life!
With love and sympathy,
Denise