Carol “Cari” Jean (Belanger) Labbe, 84, of Virginia Beach, passed away on March 12, 2026. Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, Cari graduated from Central High School and soon after joined the U.S. Navy in 1960, defying the conventions of her time. While stationed at USNAS Patuxent River, Maryland, she met and married Robert “Bob” L. Labbe. She left active duty with an honorable discharge to support his decorated USMC career and to raise their family. Together they lived and traveled widely, with the entire family especially cherishing their two tours in Okinawa, Japan.
Cari devoted herself to motherhood, choosing to remain at home until her youngest of seven children reached high school. A devout Catholic, she gave many years to her church, volunteering in the food pantry, serving as a Eucharistic minister, working in the administrative office, and teaching CCD for many years. She later found great joy as the receptionist in the Admissions Office at Virginia Wesleyan College, where she warmly welcomed students and their families.
Predeceased by her parents, her daughter Jami Lynn, and her son Jamie Christopher, Cari is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bob, and their children: Scott (Modesty) Labbe, Michael (Nina) Labbe, Robyn Labbe, Staci (Jack) Markey, Traci (Chad) Cooper, and Shannon (Steve) Swicegood, along with 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
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