BÉDARD, Marie-Anne Clarida died at the Foyer St. Joseph Nursing Home in Ponteix, SK on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at the age of 98. A prayer vigil, presided by Adèle Boisjoli and Denise St. Cyr was held on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 7:30 pm at the Notre Dame d' Auvergne Roman Catholic Church in Ponteix. The Funeral Mass, celebrated by Father James Owolagba, was held on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Notre Dame d 'Auvergne Roman Catholic Church. The Pallbearers were grandchildren Paul Douville, André Bédard, Miguel Bédard, Toni Hanson, niece Carol Shelstad, and Wayne Kushner, husband of granddaughter Joanne Kushner. The Cross Bearer was great granddaughter, Sheri-Lynn Schafer. The bible readings were read by granddaughters, Edna Evans and Joanne Kushner. The organist was Claudette Bégin. The internment took place at the Parish Cemetery. Marie-Anne is survived by her sister Margo (Binette) Crombleholme of Calgary, brother Fernand of Winnipeg, sister-in-law Étiennette (Bédard) Binette, her children Yolande (Alphonse) Douville, Olier Bédard, Denis (Laurena) Bédard, Marie Bédard and Claire (Marty) Elder, grandchildren Edna (Dave) Evans, Joanne (Wayne) Kushner, Denise Douville, Paul Douville, George (Jeannine) Douville, Allan (Jackie) Douville, André (Carri) Bédard, Josée (Kim) Pauls, Miguel Bédard, Toni Hanson and by 17 great grandchildren and 30 great great grandchildren. Marie-Anne was predeceased by her parents Thomas and Georgie-Anna (née Fauchon) Binette, her husband Osman Bédard, brothers and sisters Thomas, Arthur, Edouard, Alfred, Florence, Agnes, Paul and Fernande. Marie-Anne was born in Ponteix on January 27, 1914. She attended school at the Ponteix Convent and one year at the Thévenet College in Gravelbourg. She married Osman Bédard in 1932. Marie-Anne was a homemaker, or in today's terms, a "stay at home mom" and devoted her life to caring for her family. She was a member of Children of Mary, 'Dames de Ste. Anne', Catholic Women's League of Canada, and ‘Fédération des Femmes Canadiennes Françaises’. Of her hobbies, she enjoyed playing music the most. She studied piano while in school and playing music became a significant part of her life. In her younger years, she was the music portion of a play which her husband Osman and others from Ponteix had taken "on tour" in the province. At home, she would often play the piano for 2 to 3 hours after she had put the kids to bed. She was involved in the music ministry at the Catholic Church as organist for numerous years. She played the piano for the last time a few weeks before her death at a memorial service for the parish priest, Father Raymond Carignan, which was held at the nursing home where she had lived for the past 8 years. Marie-Anne was a gentle, kind and spiritual person who found her strength in the Lord. We thank God for His generosity of time which allowed us to share with her a good old age, and we thank everyone who by their presence, cards, emails, phone calls and flowers helped us to say "au revoir" to our mother. Mom, we loved you dearly and we thank you for your unconditional love throughout your life. Your spirit will live in our hearts forever and we will never forget you. Memorial donations may be made in Marie-Anne's name to the Foyer St. Joseph Nursing Home. Lemieux Funeral Home, Ponteix, SK was entrusted with the arrangements. For further information please call 306-625-3925 or visit our website at www.lemieuxfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members in our book of condolences.