Margaret “Margie” Ellen Labrenz, former longtime St. John resident, passed away at the age of 85 on Sept. 5. Margie was born and raised in East Springfield, Ohio. She attended Ohio University where she met her late husband, Jim Labrenz. They called Columbus, Ohio, their home where they raised their two daughters, Gretchen and Amy.
Margie and Jim discovered their love of the Virgin Islands in 1969 when they made their first trip to visit Margie’s college roommate in St. Thomas. Soon after, they began frequent bareboating adventures with dear friends and family. They were hooked! They purchased property in Estate Fish Bay and in 1977 built their first island home appropriately named “Goodbye Columbus.” The area was completely undeveloped, no other houses, no paved roads, no electricity. Many said, “Who are these crazy people?”
In 1981, they realized their dream of becoming permanent residents of St. John. Jim worked with Peter Griffith at Holiday Homes and Margie worked with Peter’s wife, Daryl, at St. John Insurance. In 1985, Jim and Margie established their own real estate company, Cruz Bay Realty Inc. Following Jim’s passing in 2000, Margie and her daughter Gretchen continued to operate the family business until 2020. Margie relocated to Fort Lauderdale in 2017 after Hurricane Irma damaged her home in Klein Bay.
Margie was passionate about the history of St. John. She was the president of the St. John Historical Society for many years and helped organize and store the archives for the society. She was also involved in town meetings, the St. John Singers and AARP.
She loved a good party and often took the lead in organizing holidays at Hawksnest Beach or hosting parties at her home, “On the Rocks,” in Klein Bay. She leaves behind decades of friendships and wonderful memories of the beautiful island of St. John.
Margaret is survived by her loving daughters: Gretchen Labrenz and Amy Cuccio; her son-in-law, John Cuccio; and grandchildren: Laura Cuccio and Johnny Cuccio.
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider honoring Margie’s memory with a donation to the St. John Historical Society P.O. Box 1256, St. John, VI 00831.
