I have sad news to report. My aunt, Lois LaBonte, died last week. After four months in the rehab center, where she had been since her fall in September, Lois has finally moved on to a better, happier place.
I’d like to thank all of you who have offered your encouragement, support, and prayers. I know that you made me feel stronger and more able to deal with this.
I received the call last Thursday that Lois had a change in condition and they felt that it would not be long before she passed. Fortunately, my sister Lisa was still in the San Diego area after flying there the previous week to help move our aunt’s possessions. So Lisa was able to get to the center and to be with Lois when she died.
I drove down the next day and Lisa and I spent the weekend taking care of details. Fortunately her husband Bill was able to fly out and help us. We made her funeral arrangements, finished moving her things, and we were also finally able to find someone to buy her piano and the rest of her antiques. The most difficult part, but at the same time in a strange way the most joyful, was going through her personal possessions. We spent hours at the storage facility sorting through photos, memorabilia, journals, letters, books, records, and more. We laughed, cried, and remembered as we sorted through her things, deciding what to keep, what to throw away, what to let go with the rest of her things.
Many of the items that we kept were mementos of Lois’ 30 years in show business. She was an actress, singer, and dancer, who performed in many productions. She was a member of a singing and dancing group called The Establishment, which was quite well known in the 1970s. They frequently performed in Las Vegas, opening for many celebrated acts including Liberace, Ann-Margret, Robert Goulet, Bob Newhart, Perry Como, Engelbert Humperdinck, Burt Bacharach, and Redd Foxx. The Establishment was also a part of the Jonathan Winters Variety Show, and Lois sang some voice-overs for several other television shows, including Hawaii 5-0. She appeared in musicals alongside Carol Channing, Ginger Rogers, Betty Grable, and Tammy Grimes. She also dated a few fairly well know actors of that era. This is the way I want to remember my Aunt Lois.
The first half of her life was fascinating. Sadly, that era was cut short in 1991 when Lois was the victim of a tragic car accident that put her in a coma for several weeks and left her with a traumatic brain injury. She was never the same, and from that day forward suffered from balance problems, loss of self control, depression, and many of the other typical complications of a serious brain injury. She gradually alienated most of her friends, and after my mother’s death in 1993, with the exception of a few steadfast friends, Lisa and I were all she had left.
Recent years had been very tough for Lois. She cut off contact with Lisa and me. She frequently stated that she didn’t want to live any longer, particularly after the death of her beloved dog Barrymore. The one thing that kept her going was her love for all animals. She was a staunch vegan and animal activist, who donated as much as she could to animal rights organizations, particularly ones like Farm Sanctuary and the Animal Place that fought against cruelty to farm animals. She always said that everyone wanted to protect dogs and cats, but it was the cows, chickens, and in particular the pigs who were treated so heartlessly. Her apartment was decorated with the cards, photos, and calendars the many organizations give to their donors, and she was very proud when she received personal thank you letters from people like Ingrid Newkirk of Peta, or Gene Baur of Farm Sanctuary.
I was going to write a separate obituary, but I realize as I read this that I already did. My aunt was a wonderful, funny, smart, and talented woman, and the world will be a little dimmer without her. She was my Aunt Lois and I loved her. I will miss her dearly. There is no memorial service scheduled at this time. We will be honoring her wishes and spreading her ashes with those of her beloved Barrymore’s at a later date.
I’d like to finish with her own writing. Long after her accident, she wrote “Memories of My Show Biz Days, in which she recalled some of her favorite stories. If you’re interested, just click on the thumbnails below.
In memoriam, Lois LaBonte, 1935-2013.
Your aunt was absolutely beautiful! I am so sorry for your loss. I will hold you and yours in prayer.
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate your prayers.
I am so sorry Debbie. I lost a friend last week (to Cancer). My thoughts are with you.
Thank you. It is always hard to lose anybody close. I am sorry for your loss.
Oh, ever since you told me about Lois I have not stopped thinking about her (I am very sensitive this way with certain people, she felt her strong spirit, I know I sound cooky, I can’t help it) I am so saddened to here of her passing, but as you said she is in a much more comfortable happy place together with Barrymore. My deepest condolences to you and Lisa. She is singing and dancing in heaven, God rest her beautiful soul. xoxo
Thank you Lisa for your beautiful thoughts. I don’t think you’re cooky at all and I appreciate you telling me about it. (Someone below doesn’t think you’re cooky either, but she didn’t reply directly so you would not be notified).
I do like thinking about her singing and dancing in heaven (with my mom!).
Lisa – not at all cookie. You said my exact sentiments. And that includes the sensitivity.
Debbie. I am sorry for your family’s loss. You are right, she made the world a bit brighter. My condolances.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your kind words.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Debbie. I know this has been a really difficult time but hopefully you have some peace of mind at some time knowing that your Aunt Lois is at peace.
Thank you, Julie, for your kind words. It is true that she is in a better place now (hopefully hanging out with Barrymore and my mom!).
I forgot to mention how much her photos remind me of Goldie Hawn, with that dazzling smile!
This was a beautiful tribute to your aunt and my condolences to you and your family.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your kind words.
Im so so sorry.
xo
Thank you.
I’m so sorry for your loss! You wrote a beautiful, meaningful tribute to your aunt. She touched a lot of lives and did so many wonderful things. My thoughts are with your family.
Thank you. I felt really good about that post. It all just kind of poured out. I appreciate your thoughts.
so sorry for your loss. she was a beautiful woman.
Thank you for your kind words.
I’m sorry to hear about your aunt. What an amazing life! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! She did have an interesting life. I appreciate your kind words.
I am so sorry for you loss!
xo
Thank you, Kierston, I appreciate your kind words.
Wow, so sorry for your loss. She was a bombshell! And I’m sure she was also quite an amazing influence as well.
Thank you. She was gorgeous wasn’t she? When I was a kid I always thought of her a my pretty, young aunt. We did fun things together, go to shows, out to dinner, and she always treated me like I was not just a kid.
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it.
your aunt is such a beautiful woman. she was so very lucky to have you <3 lots of prayers and love
Thanks, Jenna, I appreciate your sweet words. She was beautiful, wasn’t she?
I’m so, so sorry for your loss. This was a lovely tribute for a beautiful woman.
Thank you, I appreciate your thoughts.
Just ran into your aunt’s chest/wardrobe and Playbills at a liquidator in Pacific Beach. Silent auction, currently.
Wow, that’s amazing. Small world moment. How did you know? Were there pictures?
There were Playbills and other programs from Hello, Dolly! and The Unsinkable Molly Brown. There were headshots in the top drawer of the case. And I did an internet search of her name and pulled up your site. According to all of the cast signatures and letters from producers/directors that were in the chest, she was well-loved.