Colette LaBelle

Colette LaBelle, formerly Doran, of Lakewood, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on August 13th surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 88. Born on July 24, 1938, in Liverpool, England, Colette was the youngest child of the late James and Jane Callaghan.

At the age of 21, with courage and a sense of adventure, Colette left England behind and set sail for a new life in New York. She settled on Staten Island, which she would call home for many years, and commuted into Manhattan, where she worked for Lessing's Hospitality Group until the birth of her first child. Over the years, she built a career in accounting, lending her talents to several companies. On Staten Island she raised her family, building a life defined by warmth, resilience, and devotion to those she loved.

Colette embraced life with energy and grace. A passionate swimmer, she began nearly every morning gliding through the pool, doing laps. She had a deep love of the outdoors — tending her garden and spending countless hours in her yard, where her care and dedication brought everything around her to bloom. She adored the beach and delighted in driving her Mercedes-Benz convertible, the top down and the wind at her back. A gifted artist, she expressed her creativity through painting, leaving behind several beautiful works that her family will forever treasure.

In 2007, Colette followed her heart back to England, returning to the country of her birth for two years. There she joyfully reconnected with her family and, alongside her beloved husband, David, traveled extensively throughout Europe — a chapter of her life filled with discovery, laughter, and treasured memories. She later returned to the United States, settling in Lakewood, New Jersey, where she spent her remaining years.

Colette was predeceased by her devoted husband, Charles David LaBelle, who passed away in September 2025. She is lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her three daughters: Sloane Limoncelli and her husband, Michael; Melanie Reardon; and Hayley Albunio and her husband, Vincent.

She was the cherished grandmother of seven grandchildren: Andreas Petrou and his wife, Allie; Francesca Limoncelli; Charlotte Albunio; Victoria Limoncelli; Maggie Albunio; Lily Reardon; and Emily Reardon. She was also the proud great-grandmother of two, Maria Petrou and Michael Petrou.

Colette is survived by her three older siblings, Joan DeSantis, Sarah Campbell, and Derek Callaghan, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family on both sides of the Atlantic.

A woman of grace, strength, and quiet adventure, Colette leaves behind a legacy of love that spans generations and continents. Whether doing her morning laps in the pool, tending among her flowers, at the easel, or on the open road with the ocean ahead, she lived fully and beautifully. She will be forever remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Visitation will be held at Casey Funeral Home, 350 Slosson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314, US, on August 16, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, followed by a Funeral Service at Casey Funeral Home, 350 Slosson Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314, US, on August 16, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.