Ruth “Midge” LaBrie
Dan McClelland
On July 3, 2023, Mrs. Ruth “Midge” LaBrie, the heart and soul of the LaBrie family, passed away peacefully in her own bedroom shortly after being visited by members of her immediate family, close personal friends and receiving her last rights. She was the last of the original “Stetson Road Gang’s” mothers.
Midge was born on September 3, 1937, the daughter of George and Lauretta McGillis, who had a total of five children. Midge was predeceased by one brother, Carl “Skipper” McGillis, and one sister, Theresa Emery. She is survived by two sisters, Janice Pryor and Thelma “Dunc” Lawlor.
In her youth, Midge was a bit of a tomboy; she loved doing outdoor activities, which included fishing, hiking, mountain climbing, picnics and swimming, with her best buddy Lonnie Gokey and members of the Gokey Family.
Midge attended Tupper Lake High School and on November 5, 1955, she married Philip J. “Chappy” LaBrie. It was a marriage that would last 55 years, until Chap’s passing on September 25, 2010. They had two children, one daughter, Christal, and one son, Philip.
On July 24, 1976 Christal married Craig D. Russell, and on July 8, 1981, Matthew Craig Russell was born, Midge’s first grandchild, and oh how she loved that kid. Throughout his school years, Matt spent his summer vacations here in Tupper Lake with the LaBrie family, and those years were among the happiest times of Midge’s life.
On September 19, 2008, Matt married Kelsi Von Bargon, and on June 14, 2017, MaKenna Grace Russell was born, becoming Midge’s first great grandchild, and, oh how she loved it when MaKenna introduced her to other people as My GREAT Grandma! She was over the moon on that one.
On December 10, 2022,Luke Owen Russell was born, making Midge a great grandmother for the second time. Throughout her married life, Midge did everything from being a great mom, to being a great homemaker, to being a great bookkeeper which helped keep the family business, Phil’s Radio & TV, smoothly running for over 50 years, and finally to being a great caregiver to Chappy, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in the last years of his life. Her efforts were nothing short of superhuman.
In her later years, Midge loved to go to the Casino. Chap would always tell her she couldn’t go but Midge went anyway. She was also very lucky; she won many more times than she lost.
Also, in those later years, she enjoyed her birthday a lot more as that date indicated her kids were going back to school soon. She really liked that. And she loved her two cats, Winkie and Misty. In addition to members of her immediate family, Midge is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews, and their children.
In the end, much like Chappy, Midge really did have a wonderful life and really did live happily ever
after.
Calling hours for Midge will be on Thursday July 13, 2023 from 4 to 6p.m. at the Frary Funeral Home in Tupper Lake. Mass for Midge will be held at St. Alphonsus church, on Friday, July 14, 2023 at 11a.m. Burial will follow immediately after mass, after which there will be a reception held at the VFW Post 3120, located at 1849 State Rte 3 in Tupper Lake.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to High Peaks Hospice, as when things were at the darkest times, Hospice brought in the light and provided much needed guidance and support. Their efforts will never be forgotten.