Irene Bilodeau
Irene Bilodeau, 93, of Green Valley, Ariz., passed away July 17.
She was born on Jan. 19, 1920, in Harrisville, the youngest of four daughters born to Lester and Esta (Roxberry) Gibson.
Her full name was Stella Irene, but she was known to family and friends as “Irene.” She lived in Harrisville on her family's farm until moving to Green Valley, Ariz., in October 2005.
Irene married Adlour “Al” M. Bilodeau on New Year's Day 1942. They were happily married for 58 years, until Al's passing Aug. 5, 2000.
They had a daughter, Joyce “Joy” Meredith of Green Valley, Ariz.; and a son, James K. (Jere) Bilodeau of Stillwater, Okla.; three grandchildren, Michelle (Steven) Bilodeau-Burrows, Eric (Shanna) Bilodeau and Holly (James) Pratt; and stepgrandchildren, James, Mike and Matthew (Angel) Oakes and Joy-Kaye (Andrew) Blaney. The greatest joy of her last few years was hearing about the lives of her three great-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren.
Taking wonderful care of her husband, children, and father filled much of her days. Irene worked at Cooper Bessemer during the World War II years and at the A&P Grocery and Henry's Market while her children were growing up.
She loved to quilt and was a talented artist. A big garden was always growing under her supervision. Her children remember spending many hours pulling weeds and picking produce that was always shared with friends and neighbors. Irene and Al were pillars of the Harmony United Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years. While living in Green Valley, she attended the Valley Presbyterian Church.
Irene was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Blanche Covert, Bessie Bot and Frances Roberts.
BILODEAU — Services for Irene Bilodeau, who passed away Wednesday, July 17, 2013, will be at the Harmony United Presbyterian Church in Harrisville at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013, with interment at Clintonville Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her name to the Harmony United Presbyterian Church, 234 N. Main St., Harrisville, PA 16038.There is a special thanks to the caring staff of Canyon Valley Memory Care.
