French teacher. “She brought to the classroom qualities that couldn’t be taught, in my opinion, in a professional development workshop: The humor, empathy, enthusiasm and compassion as a teacher were her own gifts,” Nicole said. “Madame Labat was always the real deal, and it was truly a delight to continue our friendship during the 34 years since my SJA graduation. In my mid-life career change as a teacher at a CSJ-sponsored school in San Diego, I’ve looked to Madame’s ways and have sought to channel her in the classroom and school community as a whole. My ‘girls’ know all about my mentor. I can only hope that they will remember me similarly to the manner in which I – and countless women she inspired – will remember Madame Labat.” SJA will celebrate Jacqueline and her 47-year career in several ways this spring, including renaming the foreign language classrooms The Jacqueline Billeaudeau Labat Foreign Language Area. The Academy will also host a reception when Jacqueline is honored posthumously by the French Consulate with the rank of Officier des Palmes Académiques. Jacqueline is survived by her husband of 48 years, Wade Labat; daughters Michèle Labat Wilks ’95 (Matthew) and Christine Labat ’01; grandchildren Ryan and Camille Wilks and Libbie Labat; sister Lee Billeaudeau Davis ’54; sister-in-law Wendy Labat Payment (Tommy); brothers-in-law Cyrus Labat (Karen) and Errol Labat (Kathy); father-in-law Edmund Labat; and numerous nieces, nephews, Godchildren, friends and her SJA family.
Jacqueline Billeaudeau Labat ’64 Scholarship St. Joseph’s Academy has established the Jacqueline Billeaudeau Labat ’64 Scholarship to honor the memory of our beloved friend and colleague. To make an online donation, please go to www.sjabr.org. Click on the Giving tab at the top right of the homepage, then Give Now. In the second paragraph at the top of that page, you will find a link to view current scholarships. Please click that link to find the Jacqueline Billeaudeau Labat ’64 Scholarship. Conversely, you may send a check, payable to the SJA Foundation, to St. Joseph’s Academy, Mission Advancement Office, 3015 Broussard Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. Please include Labat Scholarship on the memo line.
Wade Labat, center, witnesses the signing of papers establishing a scholarship in memory of his late wife, Jacqueline Billeaudeau Labat. He is pictured with SJA President Jan Rhorer Breen and Principal Stacia B. Andricain.
Jacqueline Labat, far left, and Glynis Davis, far right, pose in front of the Eiffel Tower with a group of SJA students in the spring of 2013.
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