Mary Louise Bidwell, age 69, a resident of 328 East Street, Waterford for the past 25 years, died unexpectedly on Monday evening, October 27, 2008 at Saint Vincent Health Center. Born in Braddock, PA on March 9, 1939, she was the daughter of the late George and Mary Poduslo Bulik. She married Donald E. Bidwell in 1958 and they lived in Millers Station until moving to Waterford.
Bidwell, Mary LouiseMary Lou was a homemaker and a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother. She loved family gatherings and spending time with her grandchildren. As an active member of All Saints Parish in Waterford, she enjoyed being involved in many activities in the life of the church. Her interests included attending high school sporting events, going to garage sales and flea markets, and taking her family to the Erie Zoo. She also appreciated antiques and, along with her husband, was a member of the Griswold and Cast Iron Association.
Preceding her in death was her daughter, Karen L. Kowle, who died in 1997; her granddaughter, Shelby Wilcox, who died in 1989; and her brother, Gerald Bulik.
She will be sadly missed by her family, including her husband, Donald E. Bidwell; four children: Carter Bidwell and his wife Jeanine of Orange, TX, Janet Wilcox and her husband Stuart of Saegertown, Larry Bidwell of Waterford, and Jennifer Frank and her husband Michael, also of Waterford; ten grandchildren: Angela, Marc, Matthew, Dawn, Nathan, Brent, Stefanie, Natalie, Lisa, and Ryan; a great-granddaughter, Alexia; and a brother, Carl Bulik of Saegertown.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home, West First and Walnut Streets, Waterford on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9pm. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Friday morning at 9:30am followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at All Saints Parish at 10:00am. Rev. Fr. Thomas Whitman will officiate. Interment will follow at Venango Cemetery.