Barbara Jean LaGarenne, 85
Barbara Jean LaGarenne, who had a long nursing career, died of congestive heart failure on Dec. 9 at her son’s home in Washington, N.J. She was 85 and had Alzheimer’s disease for several years.
Ms. LaGarenne, who became a full-time resident of Amagansett in the 1980s, loved caring for and speaking with people, her family said, adding that people were drawn to her compassion and generosity.
She was born in Windsor, N.C., on Sept. 13, 1932, to Clarence Phelps and the former Annie Sue Lawrence. She grew up there and graduated from Windsor High School in 1950 before attending East Carolina University.
She and Harold LaGarenne, a Brooklyn native and New York City transit police officer, were married on March 9, 1953. The couple summered in Amagansett until becoming year-round residents. They had been married for 53 years when Mr. LaGarenne, who was known as Harry, died in 2006.
Living in Brooklyn, Ms. LaGarenne continued studying at Kingsborough Community College, from which she received her nursing degree, and at Hunter College in Manhattan, where she earned additional nursing credits. She worked at Kings Highway Hospital in Brooklyn for 10 years, going on in 1984 to work at Southampton Hospital for 10 years. After retiring, Ms. LaGarenne continued to work as a private nurse, caregiver, and companion.
Ms. LaGarenne enjoyed reading, and she solved the New York Times crossword puzzle every Sunday, her family said. She also liked to clam (with her toes, her family said), and to go bowling. They added that she “sang beautifully and played a mean ukulele,” often gathering her sons, along with their wives, children, cousins, and friends, around a bonfire on Napeague to sing.
Ms. LaGarenne’s six sons survive her. They are Harold LaGarenne of Montauk, Thomas LaGarenne and William LaGarenne of Washington, N.J., Robert LaGarenne of Tamarac, Fla., James LaGarenne of East Hampton, and Glenn LaGarenne of Dayton, N.J. Twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren also survive, as do four daughters-in-law, with whom she was close. A sister, Sissy Crisci of Connecticut, also survives. Four siblings died before her.
Ms. LaGarenne was cremated and her ashes buried beside Mr. LaGarenne’s at Calverton National Cemetery on Jan. 6. A service and celebration of her life will be held on March 10 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Amagansett, the Rev. George Dietrich presiding.