Mary Janell Bilodeau, age 59, of Fairfield Glade,Tennessee and formerly of the Spring Lake Park area, passed away May 16, 2008 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center in Cookville, Tennessee. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 27th at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel. A visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Mora.
Mary Janell Bilodeau was born on May 31, 1948 to Donald and Viola Smith. She was the third and last daughter who arrived to join her big sisters, Donna and Theda, and finally complete the family. She grew up in Spring Lake Park and had many fond memories from her childhood. She blossomed especially in high school were she had many great friends and was actively involved in the theater program. It was during the course of her work on the school plays that she met Larry Guzy of Blaine who would be her first husband. After graduating from Spring Lake Park High School in 1966, she began work as a dental assistant with her best friend, Patsy. In 1970, she and Larry married and shortly thereafter moved to California. In 1972, she gave birth to her daughter Christina (Tina). She had always wanted to be a mom and she raised her only child with all the love, support, and friendship that is shown by only the best mothers. She and Larry separated and finally divorced but always remained close friends. While she had many friends in California, it was a thrill for her to discover her high school friend, Linda, had relocated to the area. They were able to reestablish the close bond they had in high school and maintain it despite other relocations for both of them. She had a few career incarnations through the years including work in retail, additional work in the field of dentistry, and finally in publishing where she did proofreading and account maintenance for a local paper and then the phone book; all of which were in an effort to provide a good life for herself and her daughter. In 1994, she met and soon after married her second husband, Marcel Bilodeau. They had a full and active life together which included many wonderful trips. And all who knew them saw the happiness they brought each other. In 2007, they decided to relocate to Tennessee in order to enjoy a more quiet life. The move allowed her to take an early retirement. Just last summer, she attended an all-school reunion for Spring Lake Park High school where she was able to reconnect with many of her old friends. She had a wonderful time sharing stories and catching up with them. She was an avid reader, a gifted poet, and always dreamed of writing children’s books for which she had even completed a correspondence course. She was loved by all who knew her, had a generous spirit, a kind heart, and an upbeat attitude, wielded a great sense of humor, and wanted nothing more than to be loved,………. and for the world to be a fair place but needless to say in that she was often disappointed. One of her family’s last and best memories of her was just 2 months ago at her daughter’s wedding. She was proud and beaming and so happy that it may well be the way most of us choose to remember her. If her daughter was happy then she was too. That was the kind of mother she was, giving and caring to the last moment.
Mary died peacefully, albeit suddenly, on May 16, 2008 at the age of 59 years, 11 months and 15 days in Cookeville, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws, and her niece, Wendy. She will be missed immeasurably by her entire family and network of friends which includes people in all corners of the country. The world won’t ever be quite the same without her.
She is survived by her husband, Marcel of Fairfield Glade, TN, her daughter, Christina (Philip) Martin of Los Angeles, CA, her two sisters, Donna (Don) Sogge of Ham Lake and Theda Engberg of Coon Rapids as well as her 2 nephews, Christopher and Joseph and their families, her 3 nieces, Ann, Rebecca, and Janette and their families, and many close friends.
Tina says
I love you, Mom.
Kristie Hutchens says
I met you only at your daughters wedding but my heart has always known you from one women and one mother to another. my prayers and thoughts are with you and the family that loves you. May God embrace you now as he did in life..Tina and Phil my love is always with you and anything you need ask..Love Aunt Kristie
Melanie Cooper says
Christina,
I am the wife of Jarvis Cooper and daughter in law of James Cooper. I was unable to attend your wedding, but want to send my deepest and warmest sympathy to your family during this time.Keep GOD and family close during your time of bereavement.
Sincerely,
Melanie Cooper
Marie Bellande says
Christina, my prayers are with you and I thank you for sharing your loss with me. I hope that in the days and years ahead you know that I support you in your memory of your mother. She couldn’t have asked for a better daughter. Her love and devotion to others is evidenced in you, her legacy. Marie Bellande
Dawn Harper says
Tina, you are in my thoughts & prayers and I just wish I could take some of your pain and sorrow away. Your mom had the biggest heart and the world is less without her. She was so proud of you and your happiness was certainly her happiness. I know she is and always will be by your side encouraging, loving, and supporting you. My heart is with you and your family.
Love,
Dawn
Griff Lares says
Christina,
Though I never knew you Mother, I have recently met you and Phil. Since I found you both to be wonderfully Special People, your Mom must have been very Special as well. I know first hand that this is really a very difficult time. But I want you to know that I am praying for you and your family every night, and that God will bring you through this difficult process as well. Just don’t give up on Him (Thankfully, He never gives up on us).
Blessings Always,
Griff Lares
Mrs.Jerome Martin says
I will lift up mine eyes from whence cometh my help.My help cometh from the Lord,which made heaven and earth.He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:he that keepeth thee will not slumber.Behold,he that keepeth Is’ra-el shall neither slumber nor sleep.The Lord is thy keeper:the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.The sun shall not smite thee by day,nor the moon by night.The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth,and even for evermore.Psalms 121. Christina I pray for strengh for your entire family.May God’s comfort bring you peace.
Vera & Melvin Martin, Your Mother-in-Law & Father-in-Law says
Christia
I am very sadden and sorry about the loss of your Mother, Mary. She was such a warm sweet person. She and I visited a lot at you and Philip’s wedding. I am glad that your mother was able to share in your BEAUTIFUL WEDDING. She told me how happy she was to see you and Philip get married. You and Philip made her happy. Just continue to trust in God. He will give you the strength to make it through. God will take care of you. We will continue to pray for you. Remember, we love you and we love your Mother. We are here for you. May God Bless you.
Your Mother-in-Law and Father-in-Law,
Vera Martin and Melvin Martin
Rick and Roxi Ruud says
Tina,
Your mother and I knew each other from Spring Lake Park. We went to school together and remained friends after school. I always knew her as Janelle and will remember her as Jan. I spent lots of times at your grandmothers house with your mother, drinking coffee and talking (Jan was a talker). I had not seen Jan for a few years, but she would come to mind from time to time and I would always smile and remember the good times that we had. She was a friend and I will miss her. Out thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Sandy Hochsprung Piotter says
Dear Ones,
Janell and I were good friends during our days at Spring Lake Park High School. I fondly remember Janell in the play, The Mouse That Roared. However, I shall long remember Janell as kind, caring and considerate. She generously shared her smile that brought sunshine into my days.
May the legacy of wonderful memories comfort you and may the love, thoughts and prayers of family and friends be a source of strength. Janell is alive in my heart and memories. Blessings and comfort to you.
Brian Guzy says
Tina,
I am very sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of your mother. I cherish all the time we spent together. Your mom will remain in my heart forever.
Love,
Brian
Jessica Guinn says
Christina,
I just want you to know how sorry I am and that I am here for you whenever you need me. You are in my prayers and just know that God’s strength will see you through this very difficult time. I am so thankful that your mom was able to share in the most important day of your life and that you have a loving husband to help you get through this difficult time. I am so happy to be part of your lives and I am truly grateful for our friendship. If you need anything just call.
Love ya,
Jessica
Hester C. Smith says
Christina,
We share your sorrow.Just remember that you are not alone.God
will never leave you nor forsake you.We love you.God Bless.
Aunt Hester
Scott Guzy says
Dear Tina,
I’m very sorry for your loss. Nicole and I have been praying for you to get through this tough time.
I have many memories of my aunt Jan that I will cherish forever.
Love Scott & Nicole
Linda Olson Brandon says
To Janell’s family –
It’s so hard to say goodbye to someone we loved so much and who added so much warmth, humor, affection and thought-provoking discussions to our lives. I wish I could be there with you, but I will be joining you in thoughts and prayers.
I am so glad that her greatest unfulfilled dream came true when she was able to enjoy the wedding of her beloved Tina to Phil. This was a very happy day!!
God’s blessings and comfort to each of you during this time of painful loss.
My heart is there with yours.
Linda
Bob Guzy says
Tina I am so sorry for your (our) loss. Your Mom was a very special person. Tennesee has lost a good and much needed Democrat. I am so thankful we were able to spend time and catch-up in Feb. I will miss her. Love Uncle Bob