Mrs. Lillian Bilodeau

Lil enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cooking, baking, making Italian pretzels and raviolis and playing cards. She was the Fresno City jacks champion in 1935, watched Days of Our Lives from the start of the series, had a green thumb and grew enough sago palms to supply the entire family.

Lil was a long time member of the Fresno Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She worked seasonally for the Roberts Family Fig operation, Arthurs Toys and Gottschalks. She briefly served as an interpreter for the Italian prisoners of war during World War II in Provo, UT.

The family wishes to thank Cathy Klavon for the years of friendship and companionship she provided to Lil. The family also thanks St. Luke's Family Practice; and Optimal Hospice Care, for their assistance during this time.

Lil was preceded in death by her husband, John Joseph Bilodeau; her daughter, Janet L. (Bilodeau) Boothe; her sister, Julia (DeFendis, Townsend) Lohmeier; and by her brother, John DeFendis.

She is survived by her brother, Leonard DeFendis and his wife Patricia; daughter, Patt (Bilodeau) Holmes of Morro Bay, CA; adopted daughter, Shirley Petrie of Morro Bay, CA; grandchildren, Kris (Holmes) Clark and her husband Sean of Reedley, CA, Jeff Holmes and his wife Jane of Oakdale, CA, Erin (Boothe) Pogon and her husband Jordan of Oakdale, CA; and six great-grandchildren, Meg and James Clark, Katie and Anna Holmes, Hayden and Cameron Pogon. Aunt Lil is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Thursday, November 5, 2015, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on Friday, November 6, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Fresno Memorial Gardens.