Beryl Edith LaBruyere

Beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, daughter, sister, and friend, Beryl Edith Stall LaBruyere, 95, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2024, after a long and remarkable life. Beryl is survived by her three children Jane (Jerry), David (Gayle), and Tim (Kim); her six grandchildren Chris (Lizie), Jeff (Jennifer), Rachel, Mark (Kelly), Sam (Sara), and JT (Kendall); her six great-grandchildren Bryce, Jack, Jack, Lily, Lydia, and Aiden; and countless friends who loved her deeply. Beryl was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana alongside her siblings Ruth, John, and Henry. Whip-smart and before her time, Beryl graduated from Newcomb College at Tulane University in 1949 with her degree in Chemistry. She went on to become a lab chemist in the early 1950s, blazing trails for all the women who came after her. Beryl married her childhood sweetheart, Lester LaBruyere, in 1950 and the two went on to spend 70 years together, traveling, volunteering, and making an impact on everyone they met. The couple moved to Levittown NY in 1959 where Beryl worked in medical labs while raising three young children. In 1965, the family returned to New Orleans, where she began substitute teaching and earned her master’s degree in education from Tulane, which ignited a passion for teaching that burned bright for the rest of her life. She taught at Riverdale High School in Metairie, LA for six years before moving to Henderson County, KY in 1972. There, Beryl taught math at Henderson County High School for 21 years. After leaving HCHS at 65, Beryl went on to teach math full-time at the University of Southern Indiana for six more years. Even after “retiring” at 71 years old, she never stopped teaching. She volunteered at the local prison teaching inmates twice a week and she was always willing to take on new students to tutor from HCHS. Beryl was meant to be a teacher, and each of her students benefited from her care, patience, and keen intellect throughout her long career. A devoted member of the Henderson community, she volunteered with the Red Cross and Hospice, gave her time and talents to the Friends of the Library, and was an active member of Chapel Hill Methodist Church volunteering countless hours with Lester by her side. Beryl loved people fiercely and was a devoted friend, confidant, and ally to hundreds of people throughout her life. Beryl’s sharp intellect never waned. She could often be found with a (very hot) cup of tea and a good book in her lap. She was a formidable scrabble player and happily tackled even the toughest crosswords or sudoku puzzles. She seemed to have boundless energy for things like yoga, water aerobics, her “strong ladies” group at church, and, perhaps most importantly, long and peaceful daily walks. Beryl opened her home to friends and family alike, hosting countless meals, inviting anybody and everybody to enjoy her backyard pool, and making sure every person who crossed her threshold felt warmly welcomed. Her impact on this world is vast and she will live on in the countless lives she touched in her long life. While she will be missed, we take comfort in knowing she is reunited with her beloved Lester and the two are likely enjoying a game of Scrabble while watching over us all. If you would like to celebrate Beryl, there will be a memorial gathering on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at her dear friend Debbie Wilson’s home, 4114 Shady Hollow Drive, Henderson, KY 42420. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Red Cross or the Friends of the Library of Henderson.

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Beryl Edith LaBruyere

September 29, 1928 - May 25, 2024