Janet LaBelle Prince

Burlington, VT
Janet (Jann) LaBelle-Prince passed away at the Respite House in Colchester Vermont on June
2, 2022 after a long illness. Jann was the daughter of Ramon J. (Ray) and Marjorie LaBelle.
She was born on June 18, 1947 in Burlington Vermont.
Jann was a generous, compassionate, and incredibly strong woman. She tragically and
suddenly lost her beloved son Martin "Marty" when he was 19 years old in 2004. It was a loss
she never really recovered from. Jann was loved by many and had many dear friends including
her adopted daughter Katharine "Katie" Monje and her close friend Mary Lou Marsh. She is also
survived by her sister Joan LaBelle Creasia, her nieces Karen and Tracy; her great nieces and
nephews Christina M. & Michael A. Yarrish and Cameron B. & Christopher T. Hohenschutz
whom she cared for deeply.
As a child, Jann was sexually abused once at age 4 and then again by a Catholic priest
between the ages of 12-18. She lived dual lives. A life of abuse and deep pain and a life of
success, many talents, and survivorship.
Jann took classes at Johnson State College and Northeastern College. She graduated from the
New England School of Art in Boston Massachusetts in 1966 and was a prolific artist throughout
her life. Always wanting to grow and learn as an artist, she was drawn to and studied Asian art
and was tireless in her pursuit to capture landscapes using different mediums such as water
colors, oils, and charcoal. Jann was passionate about capturing on paper what she was inspired
by in the world. She was so proud of her eight solo art shows and 70 group art shows. She has
shown her work in VT, PA and CA and her art can be found all over the east coast.
Like her "Daddy" Ray LaBelle whom she admired, loved, and missed dearly, Jann was a very
talented musician with a great sense of humor. Jann was an accomplished pianist, performing
publicly and teaching piano for decades. She was a businesswoman and lifelong teacher of art
and music. Her love and respect of children shined throughout her life. She established an art
program at the Essex Junction Technical School. She taught art in Essex Junction, summer
school at The Week School in Vergennes, and taught private and group art and piano lessons in
her home for over 50 years. Jann also created promo slides at Vermont Public Television and
owned and operated her business called Colors, Corners and Concertos. She certainly left an
indelible mark on the lives of her beloved students.
Jann had a deep connection with animals. She loved her many poodles (Missy, Chloe, Molly,
and Belle), her birds who she taught to talk (Chang, Buddy, and Peaches) and equine therapy
horses (Rumor and Zevi).
Jann was so proud and grateful to begin horseback riding at age 60. She found great solace in
communicating with her horse Rumor. As observed by others, her connection with Rumor was
the most beautiful thing they'd ever seen. After her son Marty passed, Jann's horse Zevi would
put his big head on her shoulders as she cried in his stall. The loss of her son was profound
and Jann found peace when working with horses.
Janns' friends Katie and Mary Lou wish to thank the amazing teams at Age Well Vermont,
UVMMC Home Health and Hospice and the Respite House for all of the care provided in the
last months of her life.
Friends and relatives are invited to celebrate Jann's life together on Monday June 20, 2022. A
visitation will be held at 11:00am with a memorial service starting at 12:00pm at the Ready Funeral & Cremation Service South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington. Interment will follow at New Mount Calvary Cemetery, Plattsburgh Ave. in Burlington. Jann's friends invite you to join them on Monday at the Saint John's Club, 9 Central Avenue in Burlington between 4-6pm to share food, drinks and memories of Jann's life and her incredible strength. In lieu of flowers please make donations in Jann's name to one or more of the following:
The Humane Society Of Chittenden County
UVMMC Home Health and Hospice
The National Stuttering Foundation/Association
Age Well Vermont
Vermont Children's Hospital