1913 – 2015

NAPLES, Fla. — Dearly loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Blandine Yvette Goulet-Bilodeau, passed away in Naples, Fla., on Thursday, June, 18, after 101 years of a life well lived.

Blandine was born in Sainte-Claire, Quebec, Canada, to Francois and Eugenie Beaudoin Goulet in September 1913. After completing her education in the Province of Quebec, Blandine moved to Quebec City, where she was employed as a dessert cook in the home of British Foreign Service dignitaries, the Rt. Honorable Sir Price and his wife, Lady Price. It was there that she met her husband, Gerard Bilodeau. The couple married in Honfleur, Quebec, Canada, in 1933 and moved to Lewiston. During the depression years, Blandine found employment, stitching women’s shoes, and she remained employed until giving birth to her sons, Richard and Roger. She became an American citizen in 1941.

As a mother and wife, Blandine tended to her family while working as the secretary and treasurer for Gerard Construction, her husband’s business. Once the business grew, she gave up her position and worked at Germaine’s Millinery shop, selling lady’s hats. During that time period, she also joined the Patroness Society of St. Mary’s Hospital and the Ladies of St. Anne Society. Because she spoke French so beautifully, she was invited to give dedication speeches in her native tongue at Holy Cross Church.

In the 1960s, Blandine became interested in oil painting and took art classes at Lewiston High School. She won blue-ribbon awards for her still-life paintings and gave them as gifts to her family.

After her husband retired in 1970, Blandine and Gerard moved to Florida. They resided in Deerfield Beach for 17 years and in Fort Lauderdale for 17 years. In 2003, she moved to Naples, Fla., and for the past 12 years, was a resident of The Carlisle. Her later years were spent in the company of her many friends and her family, whom she enjoyed entertaining.

She was predeceased by her husband, Gerard, who died in 1993. She is survived by her sons, Dr. Richard Bilodeau and his wife, Linda, and Roger Bilodeau and his wife, Helen; her grandchildren, Dr. Laura Bilodeau and her husband, Craig Nevitt, Craig Bilodeau and his wife, Chen Chih, Christopher Bilodeau and his wife, Alyssa, and Cathleen Bilodeau. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Aja and Jade Bilodeau, Hannah McDonald, Remy, Alande, Lexi, and Xaiden Bilodeau-McDivett, and Nina Bilodeau.

Donations and condolences may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.