ANNETTE O. LABANC (nee Ortega) . Age 82. Beloved wife of the late Thomas. Dear mother of Michael (Ellen), Robert (Rebecca), David (Brandi) and the late Joan. Beloved grandmother of Gary and Ryan. U.S. Navy veteran.
MEMORIAL VISITATION WED. 4/7 FROM 3-7PM AT ZABOR FUNERAL HOME. MEMORIAL MASS THURS. 10AM AT ST. JOSEPH STRONGSVILLE. Burial at Alamosa Cemetery in Colorado at a later date. If desired, the family suggests donations to The Ehrnfelt Senior Center Strongsville, Oh. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANNETTE’S LIFE AND TO OFFER CONDOLENCES VISIT www.zaborfh.com.
Annette Ortega LaBanc of Strongsville passed away peacefully at the Thomas P. Perciak Family Residential Hospice Facility on April 3, 2021. Annette was originally from San Luis, Colorado. She was the second oldest of eight children born to Prax and Daisy Ortega. She enlisted in the US Navy and served from 1957 to 1961. During her time in the Navy, she met the love of her life, Tom LaBanc [whom she called “My Tiger”] at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland. They fell in love and Annette moved to Cleveland after her honorable discharge from the Navy. She rented a room from Tom’s older brother and his wife, while Tom & Annette courted. They got married in San Luis Colorado on September 30, 1962 and settled in Cleveland.
Tom and Annette had an old-fashioned love that grew throughout the years of their marriage. They were best friends and raised four children, Joan, Michael, Robert, and David. To her children, Annette was a mother, teacher, and disciplinarian—not worried about being their friend, but instilling strong values and a deep faith. As the children matured they became friends with their mom and understood all of her sacrifices and the lessons she taught them.
Among the lessons Annette taught, through the example of her life, were the importance of happiness and caring for others. She was a devoted member of St. Joseph Parish in Strongsville where she attended daily mass. She served her community as an intergenerational youth mentor in Parma and as a Community Emergency Response Team volunteer in Strongsville. She was a member of American Legion Post 91 in Berea and the Legion of Mary at St. Joe’s. Annette was a frequent visitor to the Strongsville Senior Center where she was known for her fun personality—including the use of her toy fart gun during Silver Sneaker exercise classes, her interesting hats, ever-present smile, and her love of male Hershey bars (those containing nuts!).
Annette’s role modeling and personality also influenced several students at Baldwin Wallace University during her 27 years as a lunch-lady in the student union. She was known for her generous scoops of food when she served on the line, and her kind words when she worked as a cashier. She was also known for her love of the Arts. She would happily attend a student’s recital if invited, or a production of the Conservatory or Theatre Department if available.
Annette will be missed as a mother, sister, friend, volunteer, role model, and prayer warrior. She lived her life with exuberance and brought joy to everyone she met. Her children were blessed by her love and take great comfort in knowing she is now with her Lord and her beloved Tiger.
Messages of Condolence
Condolences to the family. Annette was a lovely holy lady. She was always fun to be with, always had a sparkle of life. I met Annette through the Legion of Mary, St Joseph Church, and the Strongsvllle Recreation Center. She never let anything get her down, she would bounce back and carry on. She set a great example for us.
Dave so so sorry for your loss of you mom. Loved reading all about her wonderful full life and how many people she touched. Please know that Mike and I are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Much much love to you….Molly and Mike…
Sending everyone love and warm thoughts. Aunt Annette was such a source of warmth in the world. She will be missed.
I am so sorry Mike, Bobbi and David on the loss of your mom. She was a great person. I remember her with love as “Momma LaBanc”. I am sure she impacted other’s lives as much as she influenced mine. Looking back, I can truly say that I was blessed to have known your parents. Their love was genuine, their strength was admirable and their wisdom truly grows everyday I’m above ground. It is hard to recall a memory of your mom without her humor or her laugh… and that is how I will remember her always. With deepest sympathy.
She was a delight to know. We were fellow lady vets and enjoyed the annual Lady Vets luncheon hosted by the Post 91 Auxiliary. She had a wonderful sense of humor and I will miss that laugh.
My thoughts and prayers are with Annette’s family and friends. I remember the first time I attended an AML post event for the Lady Vet’s. Annette made me feel so welcomed just by her smile. Loved to hear her talk about her days in the Navy along with the other Lady Vets. She will be missed.
Annette was a true joy. I met her while serving breakfast at the Sr Ctr. I know she is now at peace with her “tiger”. I’ll miss her but I’ll never forget her she was a great lady.
Loved your mom…so full of life and silliness
Great lady…great family..except Bob
My deepest condolences to Mike and his entire family – I’ve heard alot of stories over the years from Mike about his Mom during our many years at ECC.
Best wishes to the the entire Family!!!
My most sincere sympathies to all family and friends. Although I did not know your Mom, Mikey, and other siblings, her life, well-lived, obviously impacted many. May she rest in peace with our Lord, and may she live on in your lives.
With Heartfelt Sympathies and Prayers for the loss of your mother. Love, Doris Schueler and “the girls”.
My Deepest Sympathy to LaBlanc family. May there be peace which comforts you knowing what an incredible influence Annette had on those who were blessed knowing her. I worked with her in kitchen@Baldwin Wallace during late 90’s & few of 2000’s. Her sense of humor always made for a good day, her insight true, the way she would listen & encourage genuine.
God Bless
My deepest sympathies to Annette’s family. She was one in a million. I met Annette when she went to Alamosa to visit her sisters, Sandy and Daisy Ortega. We had a lot of laughs and good times when she was visiting. She was very religious and full of life. I will always remember her. What a beautiful day she picked to go meet our Lord.
Love,
Bertha Martinez and family
Sincere condolences from our family. I am so sorry to hear about Annette’s passing. She greeted me with smiles and always happy when I saw her at Church and at Carpenters’ events and on our Carpenters’ trips. Annette was a great, nice lady and generous with her time and help to all. Prayers for her and the family. She will be missed by her friends and family . God will happily have her with him now in heaven .
Annette was an active members of our St Joseph’s Carpenter ( senior) Groups. She was always dressed for the Event and made everyone around her a friend.
When we are able to gather again, her joyful presence will be missed.
Mary Ann Herrle
Kim and I were so saddened to hear of the passing of Annette. Our most sincere condolences to the entire LaBanc family. We will pray and will keep your family in our thoughts and blessings.
So sorry to hear of all of losses it was. So good seeing her at the Women veteran group will miss her smiling face sincerely
My sincere condolences are with the LaBanc family. I had the pleasure of working with Annette at Baldwin Wallace I will never forget her sense of humor she would eat her dessert first cuz she said “eat dessert first so you have room for the best” she was a pleasure to be around!
We loved Annette! As one of our mom’s best friends, we were always delighted to see her smiling face when she popped in to say hello or seeing her around town. I ran into her at so many places besides mass! Our children remember her fondly because they picked up twigs and branches in her yard and she treated them special, always. Sincere condolences to all who loved her. She is undoubtedly receiving her eternal reward with more peace, joy, and love than she could have ever imagined!
~Fran and Erin Lally and our clan: Francis, Mary, Colleen, Liam & Cormac
Annette was a good friend of my mom’s – Annette Chriszt. In fact, the last time I saw her was at my mother’s funeral. Once I heard that she had died, I offered a Mass for her and her family.