Carol "Cari" Jean Labbe

Carol “Cari” Jean (Belanger) Labbe, 84, passed away on March 12, 2026. Born and raised in St. Paul, MN, Cari bucked conventional tradition of the time and joined the U.S. Navy in 1960 just a few months after graduating from Central High School. While stationed at USNAS Patuxent River, MD, she met and married Robert “Bob” L. Labbe. As was customary at the time, Cari left active-duty service with an honorable discharge to follow Bob and his highly decorated USMC career, and to start their family.  Traveling and living all over, a favorite duty station for the entire family was their two tours in Okinawa, Japan.

Cari was a dedicated mother and chose not to take a job outside of the home until the youngest of her seven children was in high school.

A devout Catholic, Cari worked for many years at church where she volunteered in the food pantry, served as a Eucharistic minister, and later worked as a secretary in the church’s administrative office. Cari also taught CCD (Sunday School) for many years.

Her favorite job was as the receptionist in the Admissions Office at Virginia Wesleyan College. She loved welcoming and getting to know the students and their families.

In addition to her parents, Cari is predeceased by her daughter Jami Lynn and her son Jamie Christopher.

Cari is survived by Bob, her husband of 64 years, children; Scott (Modesty) Labbe, Michael (Nina) Labbe, Robyn Labbe, Staci (Jack) Markey, Traci (Chad) Cooper, Shannon (Steve) Swicegood and 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held on March 20, 2026 at 12:00 noon at Colonial Grove Memorial Park located at 3445 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice, or to the Alzheimer’s Association.