Corinne B. BILODEAU

WATERVILLE -- Our Mom, Corinne B. (Bilodeau) Roy, 97, of Waterville, has been called by the Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005, at Thayer Unit, MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Waterville. She is joining her parents, Joseph F. A. and Lucy (Poulin) Bilodeau, as well as her siblings, the Rev. Edward M.S. and the Rev. Adolphe SSS., Onesime and Catherine (infants) Phillip, Albert and Irene.She was born in Skowhegan on Oct. 20, 1907, and was educated by Ursuline nuns. She was predeceased also by husbands, Arthur J. DeRocher (1931-1934) and Arthur A. Roy (1942-1990) and by a granddaughter, Cheryl Cote Niccoli (1984). She leaves five children, Theresa DeRocher Richmond and husband, Emery, Arthur A. Roy and wife, Delores, all of Waterville, Joseph R. Roy and wife, Joline, of Winslow; and stepchildren, Perley A. Roy and wife, Arlene, of Fairfield and Jacqueline Roy and husband, Ronald, of Denver. She had 17 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren.We were given all she could give of love and care and she tried to teach us how to worship and respect others. She tried to bring us up the way she had been taught. Last but not least, she wanted us to be part of our community. Mom taught us about our religion, helped with our studies, played with us. She made sure we never left home without having eaten breakfast. We must start our day right. She was interested in what we were doing. It was always for us. Before she remarried our Sunday mornings would take us to church, then breakfast, then the long walk to the cemetery. I was 2 when my Dad died. I must know about him. After our little visit we would say three Hail Marys for his and our souls. Mom was known to our friends, that if things weren't right it was time for three Hail Marys. If it went well we should say thank you and then three Hail Marys. She will never get caught up on those prayers. With her new family it was the same except for the time the police came to the door. Mom said, "What did the boys do now?" He responded that he was only trying to sell tickets to the policeman's ball. She bought two even though she couldn't afford them. When Dad died in 1990, she asked permission to say a few words at his funeral. A look of surprise from the priest. She wanted to tell us about Dad just the way she saw it. He was a good man and had a few more things to say. She often told us how much she used to like to "compose." In school the last five minutes of the day when the books were put away and a sheet of paper on the desk a subject was put on the board and she would fill both sides of the paper.Being away from home, we would receive letters every other day, written on yellow legal paper with both sides filled, margins and headings included.Most important in her life was her love of God, family next and the community third. A lesson taught to her by her father. It is your right and privilege to vote -- do it. She worked part time for Montgomery Ward and was often called Mrs. MW -- the first school crossing guard appointed by Chief Gould in Fairfield. She was the Mother of the Year at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in 1964. Thank you to all who have helped us care for her. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, at Notre Dame Church, with the Rev. Costanzo Piselli officiating. Committal prayers and interment will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Grove Street, in Waterville. Arrangements are being handled by Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to Sacred Heart Soup Kitchen, 70 Pleasant St., Waterville. Condolences may be expressed at http://www.gallantfh.com