Ann Marie Labara

Ann Marie LaBara was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, Gigi, aunt, sister, and friend. Surrounded by her loving children and after a valiant, year-long fight against leukemia, her beautiful soul left this world on February 6th, to reunite with the love of her life, Paul. Ann is survived by her children; Sal (Kathy), Susie (Chris) and Mike (Jennifer); grandchildren Victoria (Nic), Daisy, Jackson, Paul and Brynley; great-grandson Austin; her brothers Alex (Ricki) and David (Phyl) as well as many nieces and nephews.

Ann was born to Alexander and Daisy Miller on November 21, 1950. She met her beloved Paul in 8th grade and the two married after Ann graduated high school in 1969. Together, they had three children: Sal, Susie and Mike. Life together took them on many adventures away from their home of over twenty years. They moved across the United States, including Virginia, Texas and Colorado, until they felt the pull to return home to Michigan, more than twenty-seven years ago.

Family was always the most important part of Ann’s life. Her three children, five grandchildren and great-grandson were truly the center of her world. She and Paul spent as much quality time as possible with their grandchildren and great-grandson, taking them to movies, visiting the library, and hosting sleepovers at Grandma and Papa’s house.

Ann enjoyed and often expressed her love for her family through cooking. Whether planning Sunday family dinners, experimenting for dinner guests, or preparing Christmas party festivities, Ann loved to feed her people – especially her beloved grandchildren who were often begging for their grandma’s world famous spaghetti sauce and meatballs.

Ann also expressed her love for family with trips and travel. Yearly summer vacations became a tradition early on, beginning with road trips back to Michigan to visit family. Later, as the kids got older the family went on excursions to the Painted Desert, Mt. Rushmore and Las Vegas. While each destination was a fun adventure, it was during those many miles spent in the family car where so much fun was had, singing songs, playing games, and hitting various pitstops along the way. On one road trip, the family stopped at a roadside shop where the owner had a monkey in a cage, and upon getting just a little too close, the monkey reached out, swiped Ann’s gold hoop earring off her ear, and ate it! Ann quickly pulled the kids back to a safe distance and promptly told the shop owner, who retrieved the earring and handed her the crumpled piece of gold. She was more distraught about something that was a gift from Paul, but eventually, they were all able to laugh about the monkey who ate her earring and it is a story that has always been remembered fondly.

When the kids all grew up and moved out to start their own families and traditions, Ann and Paul’s travels took them away from cold Michigan winters to the saltwater, sunshine, and warmer temperatures of locations such as Galveston and Savannah. The pair’s trips would also reunite them with family, often visiting Ann’s siblings in North Carolina and Connecticut.

Ann’s pride for her family always shone brightly through the care, love, and support she gave everyone, but another great point of pride for her was the success she achieved in her professional career. Ann attended college as a non-traditional student, taking classes while the kids were in school, where she attained her degree in Technical Writing. This launched her career, leading to success in important positions with Metaldyne and Masco Corporation. It was from the latter of which that she would retire with great respect and celebration for her contributions to the company.

Ann will forever be remembered as a strong, independent woman whose generous heart was outmatched only by her loving dedication to her family. We will miss her smile and miss her grace. We will miss her wit and wisdom when we needed a quick chat or a long thoughtful conversation. While her loved ones can find comfort in knowing she is finally at peace, reunited with her husband Paul, they will forever feel the absence of their beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

Until we meet again, Ann.

Rest peacefully.

A memorial visitation for Ann will be held Friday, February 16, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236. A rosary will occur Friday, February 16, 2024 at 7:00 PM, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236.

An instate will occur Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 9:30 AM at St. Mary Queen of Creation Catholic Church, 50931 Maria Street, New Baltimore, MI 48047. A memorial mass will occur Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Queen of Creation Catholic Church, 50931 Maria Street, New Baltimore, MI 48047.