Margarette LaBeau is retiring from Teddy Bear Care in Isanti at age 87 after 14 years working there. She has been caring for others her entire life.
Before joining Teddy Bear Care, LaBeau worked in a nursing home. She said caring for others comes naturally to her, as the oldest of 14 children. When she was 12, she stayed with her grandmother for a time and took care of her as well.
“I think my niche in life is to take care of people,” LaBeau said.
LaBeau’s absence will be felt as she departs to enter the next phase of her life, according to Jamie Bostrom, owner of Teddy Bear Care.
“They all love her and think of her as a grandma,” Bostrom said. “They love seeing her. They love her a lot.”
LaBeau has worked with kids in all of the classrooms at Teddy Bear Care, but she spent her last several years in the infant rooms. She doesn’t think of the job in grandiose terms.
“I wanted something to do, I guess,” she said. “I like when the parents come in with their children, greeting them. I won’t miss the work, but I’ll miss the people.”
LaBeau said she’s told Teddy Bear Care’s staff that whenever they thought she should retire, they should just let her know, and she would. No one ever told her to, so she’s finally taking matters into her own hands.
After retiring, LaBeau says she is willing to fill in at Teddy Bear Care when they need someone to do so. She also does quite a bit of volunteering in the community, which she plans to continue after she retires. She volunteers for the Isanti Community Center and Ruby’s Pantry, and she has filed an application for the Foster Grandparents program in Cambridge-Isanti Schools.
LaBeau’s last day at work at the day care was April 14.
“We will miss her kind heart, love for kids and her smiling face that greeted children and parents each morning,” Bostrom said.