In Loving Memory

Janet Irene Jane Labrecque

Janet Irene Jane Labrecque, 77, entered the gates of heaven June 12, 2023. She had been a patient in a local rest home after recently being diagnosed with metastatic cancer.

She was born to Joseph and Mable (McMartin) Labrecque March 13, 1946 in Montreal, Quebec. She was also raised in Montreal where she had over 20 aunts and uncles, plus cousins in the area.

Janet shared that their two main means of transportation were the transit system and by foot. It was considered quite normal to walk to the grocery store, school, church or visiting friends and family.

One of Janet's favorite treats growing up were French fries. She loved them. She explained that they were sold from street vendors, piping hot, served in paper cones and sprinkled with vinegar.

Right after high school, Janet and a girlfriend went on a graduation trip to Myrtle Beach. It was there she met Richard Martin, a young man in the US Navy. Janet and Richard married a short time later in 1965. Pennsylvania is where they made their first home. Janet found employment as a data entry clerk. Richard commuted weekly to Virginia where he was stationed. When his enlistment was up, they moved to southern California where he had been raised.

When Janet and Richard divorced in 1971, she found an apartment to rent in Van Nuys which just happened to be on the "Russell compound". Her landlord, who was the movie star Geraldine Jacobi Russell, invited her to attend their chapel services. It was there Janet gave her heart to the Lord.

In the early 80's Geraldine, and three of her children, Jamie, Tom and Jane Russell, and their families made plans to move to northeastern Washington. They had purchased properties near Northport. Janet, being a family friend was asked if she would be interested in moving to the area. If so, they were willing to move her as well. She said yes. That is the story of how Janet, from Montreal, Canada came to be in Colville, Washington.

In 1985 Janet chose to become a naturalized citizen. She changed her name back to Labrecque at the same time.

Janet worked as a data entry clerk for several employers. She had worked for the State of Washington for a number of years. She was then employed by a local medical clinic until retirement in 2011.

Shortly after coming to Colville, Janet volunteered at the Stevens County historical society and museum. She had been there for 40 years, accomplishing a great number of tasks.

Throughout her life Janet had several hobbies she really enjoyed. Photography. Old barns, wildlife, flowers, scenic views. She entered photos each year in the local fair, often winning ribbons. She used her photos in making cards she sold at craft fairs. Janet had the pleasure of having one of her photos chosen for the cover of a local telephone directory.

Quilting and sewing. Janet enjoyed sewing. There was a time she made most of her own wardrobe. She had belonged to a number of different quilting groups through the years. She regularly won awards for her quilted wall hangings. She worked with several ladies through the years at the Colville Assembly of God, where she also regularly attended. They have made hundreds of quilts through the years. Many were given to students as graduation gifts from the church. Many were made for our missionaries. There were also quilts given to Teen Challenge and other ministry outreaches.

Janet made beautiful beaded jewelry for a short time. She entered these necklaces, bracelets and earrings in the fair and had won awards. Unfortunately, she began to suffer from severe vision issues and was forced to end the hobby.

Card making consumed much of her free time in recent years. As stated, before she used her own photography in card making, she made her own designs and she also completed complex kits she had purchased. Her cards were sold at craft fairs as well as directly to friends.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents. Also, by her only sibling, a brother Gerald. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Micheline Labrecque, her nephew Phillipe (Tanya) Labrecque and their two daughters Alexa and Lyanna and her niece Nathalie (Jason) Demers and their two daughters Chloe and Julia, all of Quebec.

Memorial services for Janet will be held 1:00p.m. Thursday, July 6, 2023 at the Assembly of God Church, 516 East Glen Avenue, Colville, Washington.