Sister Elizabeth Laborie

Sr. Elizabeth (known also as Sr. Cyril) Laborie, a member of the Marianites of Holy Cross, died peacefully at Our Lady of Wisdom Health Care Center at the age of 90 on October 10th, 2018.
She was born in 1928 in Marrero, Louisiana and was preceded in death by her parents Josephine Messina Laborie and Louis G. Laborie.  A loving sister to 12 siblings, all of them preceded her in death:  Charles M. Laborie, Andrew J. Laborie, Louis G. Laborie, Eldred G. Laborie, Anna Laborie Harvey, Louise Laborie Ragusa, Mary Laborie Donarski, Edgar Laborie, Carmelite Rihner, John Laborie, Henry Laborie, and Sr. Marie Therese Laborie, MSC (AKA Maguerite).  She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and their children. 
She entered the Marianites at a young age, professing perpetual vows in 1949. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Our Lady of Holy Cross College, (now the University of Holy Cross) New Orleans, in 1952 and in 1966 a Master’s degree from Incarnate Word College, San Antonio.
She taught at several schools in New Orleans: St. Agnes, St. Christopher and St. Julian Eymard.  She also taught at St. John Elementary, Plaquemine; Holy Family, Port Allen; and St. Margaret, Lake Charles.  She was at times a principal and/or Superior of the local community.  In 1972 she pursued studies in Scripture and ethics at Loreto College and St. Michael’s University, both in Toronto, Canada.  
When her ministry in elementary schools ended, she joined the staff at the University of Holy Cross (then known as Our Lady of Holy Cross College) for several years as assistant librarian. Afterwards, she began ministry as a librarian at All Saints School and later St. Cletus School in New Orleans to continue to serve the young children she had loved so much as a teacher.  In 1988 her ministry took another turn when she became receptionist for the local chapter of Pax Christi, an international organization that promotes peace and non-violence.   In 1993 she served as secretary at Lindy’s Place, welcoming single, homeless women who needed a roof over their heads and services to help them become independent.  Sr. Clarita Bourque, MSC, who had the initial idea for Lindy’s, considers Sr. Elizabeth its co-founder. 
She retired to Our Lady of Wisdom Health Care Center in 2006, infusing its halls with her bright blue eyes, always-present smile, sense of humor and, it seems, hundreds of anecdotes from life in a family of 13.  Her blood sister Sr. Marie Therese retired to Wisdom that same year.  “Lizzie” always joined in adventures at Wisdom with Therese.  The two were inseparable and their antics kept the staff amused as well as vigilant!  Sr. Elizabeth loved spiritual reading and always had a book close-by.  She was a woman of prayer and action as evidenced by her changing ministry involvements as she aged and the needs arose.  She loved being a Marianite.
All services will be held Saturday, October 13 in the chapel of Our Lady of Wisdom Health Care Center (5600 General de Gaulle, New Orleans, 70131). Visitation: 9-11:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial.  Interment: Our Lady of Holy Cross Mausoleum on the same grounds as Wisdom. The Marianites and Sr. Elizabeth’s family express great gratitude to all at Our Lady of Wisdom and to the caregivers from Concerned Care Hospice and Notre Dame Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, thank you for offering donations to the Marianites of Holy Cross (21388 Smith Road, Covington, LA  70435) in memory of our Sr. Elizabeth.      www.marianites.org
May the angels lead her into Paradise!  

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