Margaret Bienvenu Laborde of New Orleans, LA, wife of Alden J. "Doc" Laborde, died on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at the age of 92. She was born in St. Martinville, Louisiana, the daughter of Laizaire and Leoncia Bienvenu. She attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute (USL). She remained in Lafayette and was employed in several positions until her marriage in 1943 to Alden J. Laborde of Marksville, then in the U.S. Navy. She lived in various Navy-related locations during World War II and returned to South Louisiana in 1945, finally settling in New Orleans in 1953 where she resided until her death.

Margaret Laborde was the mother of five children: Susan L. Couvillon, Dr. J. Monroe Laborde and John P. "Jack" Laborde, all of New Orleans, and Stephanie Laborde of Baton Rouge and Jane L. Roussel of LaPlace.

She was an active parishioner of St. Pius X Church, a member of New Orleans Country Club and the Orleans Club. She was involved in many activities, mostly related to her children, their schools and clubs. She was an avid gardener, enjoyed bridge and golf. She is best remembered for her outgoing personality, a cheerful and carefree attitude and for her role as a wonderful wife and mother. Her main interest was her family, which includes eighteen grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren.

She kept up a steady correspondence on her 1930's Underwood typewriter with her grandchildren, sharing their activities and counseling them. In 1997 she, along with her husband, was awarded the St. Martin de Porres Award for her exemplary Christian family life and faith by the Southern Dominican Province. In 1999, she and her husband were inducted into the Society of St. Ignatius of Loyola University. She joined her husband in establishing The ALMAR Foundation to perpetuate their charity work and served on its Board until her death.

Survivors also include her husband, five children, and by one sister, Mrs. Claudia Brosius of Lafayette, LA, the last of a family of twelve brothers and sisters. Relatives and friends are invited to Visitation at ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH, 6666 Spanish Fort Boulevard, New Orleans, LA on Friday, April 24th, 2009 from 9:30AM - 11:30AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11:30AM. A private burial will follow in Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Pius X Conference, 6666 Spanish Fort Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70124 would be preferred.