Ida Mary Bilodeau

Ida Mary Barto Bilodeau, age 90, died peacefully on January 12, 2023, surrounded by family, covered in prayer and expressions of love. Ida was the devoted wife of the late Denis "Dan" Emile Bilodeau, sharing almost 50 years of marriage until his death in 2005. Born on October 16, 1932, in Greenwich, CT, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Mary (Caruso) Barto and grew up in the Chickahominy section of Greenwich. Ida attended Greenwich Public Schools and earned her degree from Teachers College of Connecticut. She returned to Greenwich where she taught at Hamilton Avenue School. IDAN, as they were known, were wed on April 16, 1955. They resided in Fort Wayne, IN, where Dan attended college and Ida taught. IDAN then moved to San Diego, CA where their family continued to grow. In 1962, they settled in Phoenixville, PA in the close-knit Wilbourne Acres neighborhood. Raising a family of five children became Ida's number one job and passion. In addition to being a stay-at-home mom, Ida was active outside the home, assuming leadership positions in school volunteer groups, the Girl Scouts, religious groups, community women's organizations, and more. Her lifelong love of music eventually led her to Sweet Adelines. Ida was a charter and lifelong member of the Valley Forge Chorus, a 50+ member of Sweet Adelines International, an International Showmanship Judge, a faculty member of the International Education Symposium, and coach for quartets and choruses. She treasured the deep, enduring friendships as much as she loved performing music with her sisters in harmony. After a long hiatus, Ida resumed her teaching career. She taught sixth grade at Barkley Elementary school, then at Phoenixville Area Middle School. Ida set high standards, always going above and beyond as a teacher. She loved "her kids" and they loved "Mrs. B" in return. Over the years, Ida traveled extensively both domestically and internationally, and with the friends IDAN made together and Ida individually, they had people to visit practically everywhere they went. The welcome mat was ALWAYS open at the Bilodeau home, where visitors would find delicious food (the BEST), laughter, and love. In later years, Ida served as a Eucharistic Minister for St. Basil the Great parish. Ida faithfully attended daily mass, which was a source of strength and joy. Ida enjoyed traveling, reading, cooking, baking, and hosting gatherings, both large and small. She loved telling stories and being the life of the party. Ida was happiest when she had her family surrounding her, whether it was hanging out in the pool, or the annual pre-Christmas sleepover with the grandkids, or Christmas Eve with mounds of calamari, shrimp, and pasta. Ida is survived by her five children, sixteen grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren: Mark (Michelle) Bilodeau, Nadine (Russ) Gustafson, Renée Harrington, Camille (Ed) Nemanic, Monique (Daryl) Hedegard, and former son-in-law Greg Harrington; Her grandchildren Myriah (Tim) Reiter, Madysen Bilodeau, Maxx (Asia) Bilodeau; Micah Gustafson, Ailene (Carl) Shotsberger, Deni Elise Gustafson, Roy Gustafson; Kyle (Ali) Bilodeau, Patrick Harrington, Sam Harrington; Cara Lee (Phil) Caddy, Anthony (Megan) Nemanic, Daniel (Jenna) Nemanic; Alysia (Andrew) Bellis, Meghan Hedegard, Danielle (Michael Reynolds) Hedegard; and her great-grandchildren Garrett Reiter; Samuel and Eilah Shotsberger; Kali Bilodeau; Audrey, Ryan, Luke, and Dylan Caddy; Alden, Brycen, and Deacon Bellis; Julian DiMaio; Paisley and Beckett Reynolds. She is also survived by a sister, Carol Pellegrino of East Greenwich, CT, a sister-in-law, Pauline Dufour of North Fort Meyers, FL, and many nieces, nephews. Visiting hours will be held at Campbell-Ennis-Kotzbach Funeral Home on Main St., Phoenixville from 6:30 - 8:00 PM on Thursday January 19. A funeral mass of the Rite of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Friday January 20 at St. Basil the Great Church in Kimberton, PA. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Basil the Great, 2300 Kimberton Road, Kimberton, PA 19442.

Ida Mary Bilodeau

October 16, 1932 - January 12, 2023