Dollis H. Bizier Obituary (1924 - 2017)

Dollis Henrietta (Tardiff) Bizier passed away on June 23, 2017. She died at home peacefully and surrounded by her loving family. At 93, Dollis was the matriarch of a very large and loving family and was a woman of great faith. Her love of God and family were her life. She was a woman of extraordinary elegance, dignity and grace and she was loved by so many. Dollis was born on February 6, 1924 in Waterville, Maine to Alice (Vear) Tardiff and John Tardiff. She graduated from Waterville High School, class of 1942 and this year she was thrilled to attend and celebrate her 75th class reunion. Dollis enjoyed the many family gatherings throughout the years. The annual Thanksgiving gathering, which required a hall due to its overwhelming turnout, was legendary. She was an active member of the Waterville Alfond Youth Center for many years, where for decades she faithfully went for her daily swim, learning to swim at age 60. She also had a great passion for cards. She was a state and New England award winning bridge player and her competitive nature carried over to home cribbage matches, where she was always up for a game with family and friends. Dollis married Reggie Bizier on July 19, 1947. Together they raised 8 children. Next month they would have celebrated 70 years of marriage. She is survived by her husband Reggie, her 4 daughters Monique Studholme and her husband Richard, Genevieve Gosselin and her husband Gerald, Alice Marie King, Denise Benson and her husband Walter and 3 sons Marc Bizier, Robert Bizier and Paul Bizier and his wife Sarah, and daughter-in-law Hope Shorey and her husband Thomas. She was predeceased by her son D. John Bizier. She has 28 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Dollis is also survived by a sister Lillian Quirion and her husband Raymond. And many nieces and nephews to carry on her legacy of love. Dollis was a parishioner of St John the Baptist Church in Winslow, now known as Corpus Christi Parish. She and her husband Reggie were well known for their altruism and gave generously to many charities both locally and nationally. Though heartbroken with our loss, we are triumphant that Dollis is embraced, at last, in God's loving arms and again joins her parents, her son John, her sisters Yvette Roy and Therese Loubier and 4 siblings that passed at a very young age. A special thank you to Dollis's caregivers Anne Carter and Lisa Meader and MaineGeneral Hospice Care, especially Michelle Walker RN and chaplain Bill Meyer. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to MaineGeneral Hospice Care 10 Water Street Waterville, Maine 04901 or Alfond Center for Youth 126 North Street Waterville, Maine 04901. Friends may visit with family from 5 to 7 P.M. Saturday July 1, 2017 at the Gallant Funeral Home 10 Elm Street Waterville, Maine. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 A.M. Monday July 3, 2017 at Notre Dame Church 112 Silver Street Waterville, Maine. Committal prayers and burial will follow in St. Francis Catholic Cemetery Grove Street Waterville, Maine. A luncheon will follow the services at Notre Dame Church Hall.