“ My grandmother’s Malvina, her maiden name is Menard, and she comes from Embrun, I think...just outside of Ottawa. “9958

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Also, here's a story or two (or three) about Malvina Labine, the matriarch of the family photo I sent a few months ago. She was quite the gal.

Gramma Labine gave birth to 20 children. Four months after the last one was born, in 1940, Grampa Labine dropped dead suddenly in the marketplace one Saturday morning, where he managed a food stall. They were dirt poor, but Grampa had a life insurance policy, so Gramma now had the means to tear down the old log house (which was falling apart), build herself a "proper" home and buy a truck and a food freezer. Because she knew the pangs of an empty stomach, she took to going to the local grocery store every evening and purchasing their day-old bread, which she then popped into her food freezer. Her neighbours consisted of people much like herself, where the women managed farms and the men worked either in the local mines or in the lumber camps further north all winter. If Gramma heard of someone who had lost their job, or became ill, she would quietly stock the truck with frozen bread, perhaps adding some fresh eggs or butter or cheese, and drop these off after dark to the unfortunate family. She did this well into the fifties.

Eventually, she built a small bungalow in town. The local township was supposed to put a culvert in place once the building permit was issued, but they procrastinated, and every time it rained, Gramma had water problems at the house site. She got fed up. She gathered a group of her lady friends and asked them to appear early the next morning in front of her house, and to bring picks and shovels. She then notified the local newspaper that it might be a good idea for them to send out a reporter with a camera the next morning. The following morning, the women went to work and the reporter had a field day. The story hit the local paper and the next morning, the township bulldozers appeared. The culvert was put in place immediately.

Gramma was not educated, in the formal sense of the word, but she exhibited a highly-developed emotional intelligence that didn't go unnoticed by her neighbours. There was a municipal election coming up, and the only candidate was the local school principal, an educated man who expected to be re-acclaimed. Someone approached Gramma and asked her to run. She thought the man was out of his mind, stating that her qualifications certainly did not equate to running a township. Her neighbour disagreed, and began to rhyme off the names of the people who would back her. Most of these were the former recipients of the day-old bread, and they formed a majority of the townspeople. Needless to say, Gramma won by a landslide, and held that office for years, until she unfortunately came down with an Alzheimer-like condition, and was unable to continue.

Once, when I was fourteen, during her tenure as reeve, I was sent to visit her for a few weeks. It was summer and I traipsed about in a sleeveless shirt and "decent" shorts. One of the town councillors approached her and more or less accused her of moral leniency in allowing her charge to "go about dressed like that." Gramma retorted that although she would not be comfortable in shorts (she weighed 300 pounds) she thought they looked cool and comfortable, and did not impose her own preferences upon others. And that was the end of that discussion. I wore the shorts all summer.

This woman remains the shining beacon who has influenced most of my major decisions in life. Grampa was fortunate to have married this go-getter, who didn't cave in when life threw a curved ball. She died in 1967, at the age of 72, and is buried in Chelmsford, Ontario. Soon she will be joined once again to her daughter, my mother, who died in 2005, when we visit the graveyard in the spring.

Maybe some day I will be able to write more about her, but for now, I just want everyone to know that Malvina was a "Memere Extraordinaire."

- Claudette Mancini 9961

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Roméo Joseph Venance Labine was born on 28 September 1913 at Rayside, Ontario, Canada and baptized at Blezard Valley, City of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. His parents were Joseph D. Labine and Malvina Ménard. His godparents were Emilien Ménard and Léona Lemges. He was baptized by Father O. Ouette.9965,9973

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Marie Anna Yvonne Labine was baptized on 28 November 1914 at Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire Catholic Church in Blezard Valley, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Joseph Labine and Malvina Ménard. Her godparents were Onésime Boyer and Marie L. Bélisle. The priest baptizing her was A. Dufresne. She was born on 27 November 1914. She was married on 22 July 1940 at Chelmsford, Ontario to Albert Bélair.9977

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The marriage of Léopold Labine and Flossie Langdon occurred on 1 January 1947 at the Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire Catholic Church in Blezard Valley, Ontario, Canada. At the time Léopold Labine was living in Chelmsford, Ontario, Canada and Flossie Langdon was living at Blezard Valley, Ontario, Canada. The parents of Léopold Labine were Joseph Labine and Malvina Ménard. The parents of Flossie Langdon were Albert Langdon and Rose Nault. Witnesses to their marriage were Albert Belaire of Chelmsford, Ontario and Albert Langdon of Blezard Valley, Ontario. Father G. Beleourty was the priest that married them. There were three banns of their upcoming marriage published. Léopold Labine had been baptized at Chelmsford, Ontario on 10 September 1922. Flossie Langdon had been baptized at Blezard Valley on 22 October 1927.9967

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Theresa Labine and Jean Guy Sequin were married on 25 July 1953 at Sainte-Agnès Catholic Church in Azilda, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. At the time of their marriage Theresa Labine was a resident of Azilda, Ontario and Jean Guy Sequin was a resident of Val-Tétreau, Gatineau, Québec. The parents of Therese Labine were Joseph Labine and Malvina Menard. The parents of Jean Guy Sequin were Amedée Sequin and Clara Theriault. The witnesses to their marriage were Robert Labine and Amelée Sequin. The priest officiating at their marriage was L. A. Daoust. Therese Labine was baptized at Sainte-Agnès Catholic Church in Azilda, Ontario on 24 May 1931. Jean Guy Sequin was baptized in Val-Tétreau, Gatineau, Québec on 15 September 1930.9969

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Claire Labine and Frederick Bodson were married at Saint-Agnès Catholic Church in Azilda, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada on 1 March 1954. Claire's parents were Joseph Labine and Malvina Menard. Frederick's parents were Lucien Bodson and Alice Poulon. Witnesses to the marriage were Leopold Lauzon and Paul Bodson. The priest officiating at the marriage was L. A. Daouest. One of the three banns was dispensed and only two banns were published. Claire Labine was baptized at Chelmsford, Ontario on 16 November 1929 and Frederick Bodson was baptized at Copper Cliff, Ontario on 27 September 1915.9974


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Raymond Labine and Madeleine Pharand were married on 30 June 1956 at Saint-Jacques Catholic Church in Hanmer, Sudbury, Ontario. The parents of Raymond Labine were Joseph Labine and Malvina Ménard. The parents of Madeleine Pharand were Osias Pharand and Cora Patry. At the time of their marriage Raymond Labine was 23 years old and was born at Chelmsford, Sudbury, Ontario. He was a single and a miner at the time of his marriage. Madeliene Pharand was 24 years old and was born at Hanmer, Sudbury, Ontario. She was a single and a school teacher at the time of her marriage. The witnesses to the marriage were Joseph Labine and Osias Pharand. The priest officiating at the marriage was J. Arthur Bérubé. He published three banns of marriage prior to the wedding.9970,9971

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J. R. Bernard Jean Labine and Marie Lucille C. G. Lalonde were married on 14 September 1963 at Saint-Antoine (St. Anthony) Catholic Church in Gatchell, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. At the time of their marriage Bernard Labine resided at Azilda, Ontario and Lucille Lalonde resided at Sudbury, Ontario. The parents of Bernard Labine were Joseph Labine and Malvina Ménard. The parents of Lucille Lalonde were Josaphat Lalonde and Rena Poirier. Witnesses to the marriage were Paul Lalonde and Claire Meunier. The priest officiating at the marriage was R. J. Verti. Bernard Labine was baptized on 21 March 1940 at Saint-Joseph Catholic Church in Chelmsford, Sudbury, Ontario. Lucille Lalonde was baptized on 15 October 1944 at Notre-Dame-du-Perpetuel-Secours Catholic Church in Hamilton, Sudbury, Ontario.9972

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Adrienne Bertha Labine and Lorraine Rea Labine, daughters of Joseph Venance Aristide Guildry dit Labine and Malvina Ménard, were twins. They were nicknamed Ti-Blanc (Adrienne) and Ti-Noir (Lorraine). Ti-Blanc is short for Petit Blanc and Ti-Noir is short for Petit Noir because when they were young Adrienne was fair and Lorraine was quite dark.9975

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“ In Ottawa, Friday, April 15, 2005, Aline Gravel nee Labine, age 86, widow of the late Henry Harpe and the late Hector Gravel. Loving mother of Edgar Gravel (Ute), Shonne Gravel, Douglas Gravel (Bea), Dianne Antoine, Norman Donald Harpe (Jean), Lucy Harpe (Robert Hesse) and Murray Richard Harpe. She was also a proud grandmother of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dear sister of 21 siblings, many of whom survive her, as well as many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Joseph Labine and Malvina Menard; her daughter, Shirley Madelaine “Aline” Harpe and her son, Frederick Joseph Romeo Harpe. Friends may pay respects at the Kelly Funeral Home, 2370 St. Joseph Blvd., Orleans on Thursday, April 28 from 6-9 pm. Funeral Friday, April 29 in the chapel at 10 am. In memoriam donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation appreciated. “9962

None

Malvina Ménard
Malvina Menard
Malvina Labine
Malvina (née Ménard) Labine
Memere Malvina
Gramma Labine

“ My grandfather Joseph Labine, died at the market on Borga Street here in Sudbury, supposedly he had just come out of a restaurant, had eaten pork chops....and when he left, he died. “9958

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For most of his working life, Joseph Venance Aristide Guildry dit Labine was a blacksmith in the forestry industry of Northern Ontario. He also operated a farm with his wife Malvina (Menard) Guildry dit Labine.9963

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Roméo Joseph Venance Labine was born on 28 September 1913 at Rayside, Ontario, Canada and baptized at Blezard Valley, City of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. His parents were Joseph D. Labine and Malvina Ménard. His godparents were Emilien Ménard and Léona Lemges. He was baptized by Father O. Ouette.9965,9973

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Marie Anna Yvonne Labine was baptized on 28 November 1914 at Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire Catholic Church in Blezard Valley, Ontario, Canada. She was the daughter of Joseph Labine and Malvina Ménard. Her godparents were Onésime Boyer and Marie L. Bélisle. The priest baptizing her was A. Dufresne. She was born on 27 November 1914. She was married on 22 July 1940 at Chelmsford, Ontario to Albert Bélair.9968

    ____________________

The marriage of Léopold Labine and Flossie Langdon occurred on 1 January 1947 at the Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire Catholic Church in Blezard Valley, Ontario, Canada. At the time Léopold Labine was living in Chelmsford, Ontario, Canada and Flossie Langdon was living at Blezard Valley, Ontario, Canada. The parents of Léopold Labine were Joseph Labine and Malvina Ménard. The parents of Flossie Langdon were Albert Langdon and Rose Nault. Witnesses to their marriage were Albert Belaire of Chelmsford, Ontario and Albert Langdon of Blezard Valley, Ontario. Father G. Beleourty was the priest that married them. There were three banns of their upcoming marriage published. Léopold Labine had been baptized at Chelmsford, Ontario on 10 September 1922. Flossie Langdon had been baptized at Blezard Valley on 22 October 1927.9967

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Theresa Labine and Jean Guy Sequin were married on 25 July 1953 at Sainte-Agnès Catholic Church in Azilda, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. At the time of their marriage Theresa Labine was a resident of Azilda, Ontario and Jean Guy Sequin was a resident of Val-Tétreau, Gatineau, Québec. The parents of Therese Labine were Joseph Labine and Malvina Menard. The parents of Jean Guy Sequin were Amedée Sequin and Clara Theriault. The witnesses to their marriage were Robert Labine and Amelée Sequin. The priest officiating at their marriage was L. A. Daoust. Therese Labine was baptized at Sainte-Agnès Catholic Church in Azilda, Ontario on 24 May 1931. Jean Guy Sequin was baptized in Val-Tétreau, Gatineau, Québec on 15 September 1930.9969

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Claire Labine and Frederick Bodson were married at Saint-Agnès Catholic Church in Azilda, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada on 1 March 1954. Claire's parents were Joseph Labine and Malvina Menard. Frederick's parents were Lucien Bodson and Alice Poulon. Witnesses to the marriage were Leopold Lauzon and Paul Bodson. The priest officiating at the marriage was L. A. Daouest. One of the three banns was dispensed and only two banns were published. Claire Labine was baptized at Chelmsford, Ontario on 16 November 1929 and Frederick Bodson was baptized at Copper Cliff, Ontario on 27 September 1915.9974


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Raymond Labine and Madeleine Pharand were married on 30 June 1956 at Saint-Jacques Catholic Church in Hanmer, Sudbury, Ontario. The parents of Raymond Labine were Joseph Labine and Malvina Ménard. The parents of Madeleine Pharand were Osias Pharand and Cora Patry. At the time of their marriage Raymond Labine was 23 years old and was born at Chelmsford, Sudbury, Ontario. He was a single and a miner at the time of his marriage. Madeliene Pharand was 24 years old and was born at Hanmer, Sudbury, Ontario. She was a single and a school teacher at the time of her marriage. The witnesses to the marriage were Joseph Labine and Osias Pharand. The priest officiating at the marriage was J. Arthur Bérubé. He published three banns of marriage prior to the wedding.9970,9971

    ____________________

J. R. Bernard Jean Labine and Marie Lucille C. G. Lalonde were married on 14 September 1963 at Saint-Antoine (St. Anthony) Catholic Church in Gatchell, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. At the time of their marriage Bernard Labine resided at Azilda, Ontario and Lucille Lalonde resided at Sudbury, Ontario. The parents of Bernard Labine were Joseph Labine and Malvina Ménard. The parents of Lucille Lalonde were Josaphat Lalonde and Rena Poirier. Witnesses to the marriage were Paul Lalonde and Claire Meunier. The priest officiating at the marriage was R. J. Verti. Bernard Labine was baptized on 21 March 1940 at Saint-Joseph Catholic Church in Chelmsford, Sudbury, Ontario. Lucille Lalonde was baptized on 15 October 1944 at Notre-Dame-du-Perpetuel Secours Catholic Church in Hamilton, Sudbury, Ontario.9972

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Adrienne Bertha Labine and Lorraine Rea Labine, daughters of Joseph Venance Aristide Guildry dit Labine and Malvina Ménard, were twins. They were nicknamed Ti-Blanc (Adrienne) and Ti-Noir (Lorraine). Ti-Blanc is short for Petit Blanc and Ti-Noir is short for Petit Noir because when they were young Adrienne was fair and Lorraine was quite dark.9975

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“ In Ottawa, Friday, April 15, 2005, Aline Gravel nee Labine, age 86, widow of the late Henry Harpe and the late Hector Gravel. Loving mother of Edgar Gravel (Ute), Shonne Gravel, Douglas Gravel (Bea), Dianne Antoine, Norman Donald Harpe (Jean), Lucy Harpe (Robert Hesse) and Murray Richard Harpe. She was also a proud grandmother of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dear sister of 21 siblings, many of whom survive her, as well as many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Joseph Labine and Malvina Menard; her daughter, Shirley Madelaine “Aline” Harpe and her son, Frederick Joseph Romeo Harpe. Friends may pay respects at the Kelly Funeral Home, 2370 St. Joseph Blvd., Orleans on Thursday, April 28 from 6-9 pm. Funeral Friday, April 29 in the chapel at 10 am. In memoriam donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation appreciated. “9962

The Saint-Jacques d'Emburn Catholic Church baptismal records for the period 1877-1883 have two baptisms listed for Joseph Venance Orestide Guilory dit Labine (Joseph-Venance-Aristide Guildry dit Labine). One record is on page 382 (Baptism No. 62) and the other record is on page 388 (Baptism No. 75). The two records essentially are the same except for the date of birth and the date of baptism. Both records identify the parents of Joseph Venance Orestide Guilory dit Labine as Orestide Guilory dit Labine and Marie Louise Germain dit Belisle. Both records state that the father is a cultivateur (farmer). Both records name the godparents as Venance Germain dit Belisle and Julie Roy (the parents of the mother Marie Louise Germain dit Belisle). The same priest is listed in both baptisms. The only differences are in Baptism No. 62 the date of birth is given as 9 June 1883 and the date of baptism as 10 June 1883 whereas in Baptism No. 75 the date of birth is given as 9 July 1883 and the date of baptism as 20 July 1883.9976 It is uncertain why there are two records unless the priest forgot he had written the first record and then recorded this baptism a second time a month later using the wrong dates or perhaps he was recording the baptism of another child in July 1883 and got confused and used the wrong names and other information. I have chosen to use the first record (Baptism No. 62) as likely being the correct baptismal record.

Joseph-Venance-Aristide Guidry dit Labine
Joseph Venance Aristide Guildry dit Labine
Joseph Venance Aristide Guildry dit LaBine
Joseph Venance Orestide Guildry dit Labine
Joseph Venance Orestide Guilory dit Labine
Joseph V. Aristide Guildry dit Labine
Joseph V. Aristide Guildry dit LaBine
Joseph Labine
Joseph Guildry
Grampa Labine
Joseph D. Labine