Lona N. Bedard

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Lona N. Bedard

NORWAY — Lona N. Bedard, 96, of Norway died Monday morning, May 14, 2012 at Stephens Memorial Hospital. She was born in Norway, September 21, 1915, the daughter of Nathan and Ethna Pearl Dunham Noble, and a granddaughter of Mellie Dunham. She graduated from Norway High School when she was 16 years old. She had worked in area shoe shops, and at Ashton’s Drug Store on the fountain. But her life’s work was as a homemaker devoted to her family, raising her daughters and generations of grandchildren using her high teaching qualities to help them grow.

Music with her husband Bill was equally important. They met through music and recently celebrated 70 years of marriage. Mrs. Bedard played the accordion, piano and keyboard. In the 1950s they played live on WKTQ radio with the Maine Melody Mountaineers. She played with many bands including the Richard Felt Orchestra and recorded many songs with Bill over the years. Together they were active in the Maine Country Music Association. She attended the Oxford Advent Christian Church and was still snowmobiling into her 80s.

Mrs. Bedard is survived by her loving husband Emile “ Bill” Bedard of Norway; three daughters, Mary Cook of Livermore, Emilia Fogg of Norway and Linda Ellingwood and her husband Jerry of Norway; a former son-in-law, Donald Fogg; nine grandchildren, Terrence and Gina, Kenneth and Sue Parker, James and Bonney, Joseph and Stefanie, Jeffrey and Katrina Fogg, Julie Dyck, Lee and Robin, Brady and Sara Ellingwood and Jason Ellingwood; 24 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband, Kenneth Brill; son-in-law, Reginald Cook; grandson, Jeremy Ellingwood and eight brothers and sisters, Ethna Dion, Alanson Noble, Rose Barnes, Cherry Frechette, Floretta Delano, Amos Noble, Orin Noble and Pearl Goodwin.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 19 at 2 p.m. at Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 45 Main St., South Paris with interment to follow at Norway Pine Grove Cemetery in South Paris. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lona N. Bedard Memorial Fund, c/o Emile Bedard, 430 Crockett Ridge Road, Norway, ME 04268. On-line condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.