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Phyllis

(Friedman)

Labell

Obituary

Phyllis (Friedman) Labell, 99 years of age, of West Hartford, died Saturday August 25, 2012 at St. Francis Hospital. She was the widow of Abraham D. Labell. Born in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late Jacob L. and Mary (Osias) Friedman. She graduated from Weaver High School in Hartford and attended Columbia Teachers College. She taught early childhood education in Hartford schools and at Beth El Temple in West Hartford. She was a founding member of Beth El Temple of West Hartford. She leaves her son, Joseph S. Labell and his wife Margaret Keim Labell of Scarsdale, NY; her daughter, Martha A. Labell and her husband Richard Stroud of Jamaica Plain, MA; and three grandchildren, Benjamin Labell Stroud, Anya Labell and Molly Labell. She was predeceased by her brother Lester Friedman. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 11:30 am at Beth El Temple Cemetery, Jackson St. Ext., Avon with Rabbi James Rosen and Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler officiating. A memorial period will be observed Tuesday following the interment at the home of Bobbi Basch, 137 Mohegan Dr., West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hebrew Home & Hospital, 1 Abrahms Blvd., West Hartford 06117. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary, Hartford. For further information, directions, or to sign the guest book for Phyllis, please visit online at www.weinsteinmortuary.com/funerals.cfm.

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Phyllis Labell

(Friedman)

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From: Judy Tulin

From Jersey City, NJ

Posted On: August 27, 2012

I have many fond memories of Phyllis. She was lovely in her demeaner -- so well-dressed and kept a beautiful home!! She was always welcoming and generous with me. She helped carpool me to Hebrew school for many years -- I spent many times at Phyllis' house --I'd sit in the kitchen and she would feed me all kinds of treats! One special memory --When Abe died my dad helped lead the shiva prayers, and that was a powerful time for the Tulin and Labell families to be together. Phyllis was very caring and supportive when my parents were ill and when they passed away. I am pleased that I will be able to attend the graveside service to honor Phyllis, and be there for my beloved long-time friend, Martha, and for Joe and the entire family. With love, Judy Tulin

From: Rick Pattavina

From Berlin, CT

Posted On: August 27, 2012

Dear Joe, I am very sorry to learn of the loss of your mother. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Rick Pattavina

From: Laurie Schwartz

From West Hartford, Connecticut

Posted On: August 28, 2012

Peter and I met Phyllis the evening that we moved into our home at 239 Auburn Road. We were young newlyweds, and she offered us a cup of coffee to welcome us as neighbors. We declined on the coffee (too tired), but said "Yes" to Phyllis. For me, it was the beginning of relationship with a woman I loved for 26 years. For me, she is a reminder of a sweeter and simpler time in life, and a woman who was truly grounded. She loved her Jewish faith and was proud of it. We loved lighting the shabbat candles with her on Friday evenings and listening to her say the prayers in Hebrew; we learned the importance of sundown and she made sure that I arrived on time! I will always remember how she honored her parents. Too numerous to count are the times that she told me that she had the best mother in the whole wide world. The kindnesses of her mother were ones that she not only remembered and appreciated, but ones that truly sustained her and gave her a sense of self-worth. Over and over again she told me about her Daddy who never came in the door after a day's work without a little package for her. His daily gift of candy for his little girl continued to put a smile on her face into old age. She admired her brother Lester. When it came to playing the piano, she would explain, "they could stop me, but they couldn't stop him". And nothing brought her more joy than her very own children. Martha and Joe, Martha and Joe.... She talked about them with such affection and worried about them incessantly. Shortly after having my first daughter, Carrie, she sprung the good news on me. "You will never have a worry free day again in your life" she said. And she was right! I remember how she worried about Martha driving back to Boston and waiting for a phone call from her when she returned home safely. She worried about Joe too, but then again, she was never shy about expecting a lot from him! She was able to depend upon him to visit her weekly at the Hebrew Home and Hospital. She loved her grandchildren Anya and Molly and Ben; the way that she pronounced their names said volumes about the depth of her love for them. She loved children. She recognized their intrinsic worth, and delighted in them. She talked about her work with children at Quaker Lane Nursery School as if it were yesterday and she embraced my own daughters so warmly. She had no patience for "stupid" people and would tell you so! Never again will I meet a person who was so eager to call the fire department if she had a problem or so empathetic that you could almost see her "put on armor" as if to shield herself from feeling your pain. Phyllis was so many things, wrapped up in one beautiful package! She opened her door first thing in the morning as if to welcome you. She was always dressed and wearing her signature pearls, which I believe were given to her by her beloved Abe. She cared about fashion and shopped for nice clothing. She loved the way that Martha dressed. She always reminded you that she had a Mom who used to make her clothing for her and that you would never see her "without a needle in her hand". She had "girlfriends", and many of them were lifelong friends from her early schooldays in Hartford. She told you about all of them with the classic stereotypes of the "pretty one", the "smart one", etc. and she was not interested in making any new ones! She literally plumped the cushions of her couch every day, readying it for your visit. You could just "stop over" to see her; you never needed to call and ask if you could visit, and upon entering, she always sat in her chair and gave you all her attention. Her home had warmth and character and she genuinely loved seeing you. I remember the photographs on her wall that were not placed there as decorations. Each one came with an important story to tell of individual struggle or success, and most of all, those were her "people". She loved the flowers that Russ would send and she allowed them to make her feel special. I could go on forever telling of the ways she has impacted my life. There was a time about five or six years ago that it occurred to me that she would not always be here, and I wondered how I would carry on without her! Now I realize that she is with me all of the time, that in fact she is part of what has shaped me. Every time I say "And how!" or "Please" or "Evidently", it is Phyllis speaking. When I have a problem, it is Phyllis reminding me that "This too shall pass". I love her with an abiding love, and I thank Joe and Martha for sharing her with me. When I go to the cemetery today I will place a rock on her grave as she taught me to do in her beautiful Jewish custom, but I promise that I will never "bury" her. And I will treasure the way that she ended her phone conversations with me; "I love you, honey." God bless Phyllis, and my deepest sympathy to all of her family. Love, Laurie Schwartz

From: Susan Maki

From Sterling, MA

Posted On: August 28, 2012

Martha and I have been friends since we were in kindergarten at Morley School. I spent a great deal of time at Mrs. Labell's house. She was always welcoming. When I had children of my own, we would stop by and visit. She sent my son little presents for many birthdays. In her later years, I remember seeing her sitting in the lobby of the Hebrew Home reading her newspaper. I am so sorry for your loss. Love, Susan

From: Stephen and Melissa Gilligan

From Guilford, CT

Posted On: August 29, 2012

From: Carrie Schwartz

From West Hartford, CT

Posted On: August 29, 2012

Phyllis was a very special person to me - I thought of her as my "third grandmother." She was such a loving, caring person, a presence in my life since I was born. I have very fond memories as a child of spending time in the living room sitting on Phyllis' very comfy couch, eating the caramels that she always left out in a wooden dish, playing games with the set of poker chips in her back den, and of course climbing on the beautiful Japanese maple tree in her front yard with my sisters. Phyllis was always so welcoming and happy to have visitors - and we were always very happy to see her too! I loved receiving birthday cards from Phyllis, always knowing which ones they were because they were signed simply, "Love, Me." I loved Phyllis' bright spirit and her wonderful sense of humor. I will miss her very much. My deepest sympathies go out to Phyllis' family. Love, Carrie

From: Libby Tulin and Len Gross

From Nanuet, NY

Posted On: August 26, 2012

We all certainly have many memories of Phyllis (and Abe) from growing up in the neighborhood and sharing carpools to Beth El for Hebrew school. We send our love and condolences to Joe and Peg, Anya and Molly and to Marty and Richard and Benjamin. May your mom's long and productive life and deep love of family be a blessing to you all. Libby Tulin and Len Gross

From: Russ Oasis

From Miami, FL

Posted On: August 26, 2012

Phyllis Labell will be dearly missed. When I was a child, she had me stay at her beach house each and every summer, with the rest of her family. Those were some of the best times of my life. She was a warm and loving person always with a good word about others or a positive thought to make you feel good about yourself. When her mother fell ill, she was quick to take care of her in her own home. It was always such a delight to take her out to lunch or dinner, right until the very end. Phyllis Labell was one in a million. (Her proprietary mixture of grape and orange juice will never be duplicated....it was a special treat for kids).

From: Peter Schwartz

From West Hartford, CT

Posted On: August 27, 2012

Joe, Martha and your families:
I am so sorry that you have lost your wonderful Mom. As you know, she was a huge part of our lives, and was a third grandmother to my children -- truly like a part of our family. There was so much warmth and intelligence emanating from Phyllis. And I was constantly amazed how, until very recently, every time we paid her a visit, she was always reading! I will never forget her, and we will miss her very much.
Love, Peter Schwartz

From: sherry waang

From Basking Ridge, NJ

Posted On: August 27, 2012

Phyllis was one of my mother's best friends. Vera Glass, my mother and Phyllis spoke daily especially during basketball season to remind each other of the time of the UConn women's game; they adored Gene Auriemma. The two traveled together on many occasions and always enjoyed each other's company. Each of these ladies died upon reaching the age of 99. Our sympathies to her family. Stephen and Sherry Wang

From: DIANA LONGCHAMPS RN

From MANCHESTER, CT

Posted On: August 27, 2012

TO THE FAMILY OF PHYLLIS LABELL,
I WAS A NURSE AT THE HEBREW HOME. I BELIEVE THAT I ADMITTED
PHYLLIS. I RETIRED IN OCTOBER 2011 SO THE LAST TIME I SAW HER SHE
WAS HER OLD SELF. I AM NOT SURPRISED SHE WAS A TEACHER-SHE HAD A SPECIAL WAY OF ORGANIZING THINGS! I ALSO SAW AN INDEPENDENT SIDE AND A STRONG WILL..
I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. LOOSING OUR PARENTS IS EXPECTED BUT STILL VERY DIFFICULT. I WILL BE KEEPING PHYLLIS AND HER FAMILY IN PRAYER FOR ONE MONTH.
WITH BLESSING AND LOVE
DIANA LONGCHAMPS

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