Carmen Bourdon-Savidge

The heart of a woman is often found in her love of family, and for Carmen Bourdon-Savidge, family meant everything. She was also a woman of faith who lived by example, and in all she said and did, Carmen had a way of placing her extra special touch on everything. Always there with encouragement, hugs and a smile, she will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. In the city of Hull, nestled on the west bank of the Gatineau River along the north shore of the Ottawa River, Alfred and Laurentia (Charron) Bourdon of Quebec, Canada welcomed the blessed birth of their precious daughter, Carmen Elaine on August 9, 1919. It was an exciting time in the country as the official end of World War I took place with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, and a referendum to prohibition made headlines when the moderates won by a landslide. An area rich with natural resources, the new decade ahead brought much prosperity during the boom of the early 1920s. While still a young child, Carmen's family moved to the U.S. and settled in the booming industrial town of Muskegon, Michigan. A city also rich with natural resources, her father eventually went into business for himself, having founded the Muskegon Piston Ring Company. One of seven children in the Bourdon household, Carmen was raised alongside her siblings, Norma, Undine, Rolland, Katherine, and twin sisters, Jeanne and Jeanette. Her mother, a homemaker, remained at home with Carmen and the rest of the children. Carmen and her family were very close and remained so throughout much of their lives. They each helped with chores around the house and usually after daily studies were completed they enjoyed neighborhood play. Carmen enjoyed a wonderful childhood filled with fond memories and happy times. She often reminisced about walking to the Mart Dock and fun-filled days roller skating and swimming. Always together, it was sure to be a great time whenever they were in one another's company. Christmas was a blessed time in their home, especially when it came to pulling taffy. Sunny weekends made for enjoyable car trips and going to church together as a family were some of the many fond remembrances that Carmen held close to her heart. Devout in their Catholic faith, Carmen and her siblings each went on to graduate from St. Jean's High School, which was quite unusual for the times with the onset of the Depression. Times were difficult for everyone, and Carmen's family was no exception, but through her father's perseverance, he saw to it that each of his children received an education. Shortly after graduating Carmen began working at the Reliable Tire Company. She remained there as a secretary for 13 years, but along the way met a co-worker by the name of Patrick Savidge who came to win her heart. A handsome fellow, the two began dating and eventually found themselves deeply in love. On September 25, 1948, in Muskegon, they were happily blessed in marriage. Carmen continued working until 1951 when she decided it was time to stay home and begin a family of their own. Over the next several years they were delighted with the births of their three wonderful children, Patricia, Terry and Richard. They made their family home at 882 Washington Avenue in Muskegon where Carmen filled their home as a devoted wife and loving mother. They enjoyed taking their family to Silver Lake and often rented a cottage there during the summer months. They also went on family vacations enjoying the sights at Yellowstone National Park and Niagara Falls. While raising her family, Carmen's focus was on their needs. As members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, she always served as a loving and present example before her children and could always be counted on by them. She served a delicious dinner each evening where as a family they gathered around the table, and she was a good cook, too. Everyone loved her famous potato salad and homemade peanut brittle. An attentive mother, she was involved in her children's many activities, especially their school events. Carmen enjoyed staying at home, but when the kids were all in school she decided to return to work. In 1960 she went to work as a teacher's aid through the Muskegon Public School system. In 1964, she went on to work at Catholic Central as a registrar and secretary to the counselor, remaining there until retiring in 1981. In her spare time Carmen enjoyed bowling on a league and over the years loved crocheting, especially the many little baby hats she made. She also liked to cross stitch and enjoyed time on a good crossword puzzle. After she and Patrick retired they enjoyed traveling, especially to Arizona where they made many friends and spent wonderful times together. It was very difficult for Carmen when her mother passed away in 1965, followed by her father's death in 1971, but the death of her son Richard in 1972 was almost too much to bear. She and Patrick made it through those early years together, but when he passed away in 1988 it was once again a very hard time for her. Carmen kept herself busy and surrounded herself with the love and support of family and friends, especially her grandchildren, Stephanie, Eric, Julie, Emily and Alison by her side. She loved taking care of them and made it a point to attend all of their school events. They always enjoyed their time with Carmen and she had a way of always making sleepovers at her house and holidays extra special. Special was what defined Carmen Bourdon-Savidge. In the hearts of those who knew and loved her, she was known for her caring ways. In everything she did, she left her own special, loving touch. She loved her family well, leaves much to be remembered and will be dearly missed. Mrs. Carmen E. Bourdon-Savidge, at the age of 91, passed away Saturday, April 16, 2011. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Benoit of Muskegon; son, Terry (Jane) Savidge of Norton Shores; grandchildren: Stephanie Benoit, Eric Savidge, Julie Benoit, Emily Savidge, Alison Benoit; sisters: Jeanne (Robert) Anderson of Muskegon, Jeanette Bastian of Muskegon; several nieces and nephews. Along with her parents, husband and son, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Norma Beyer, Undine Bassett, Katherine Johnson; and brother, Rolland Bourdon. SERVICE: Tuesday, April 19, 2011, 11:00 AM at the Clock Chapel-Muskegon with Fr. Matthew Barnum officiating. VISITATION: One hour prior to the service at the funeral home. MEMORIAL: Charity of Choice. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a favorite memory of Carmen, submit a photo or to sign her online guest book.