Charlotte Bissonnette

Charlotte Bissonnette passed away peacefully Jan. 19, 2013. The daughter of Leon and LaRee Hammond Suprenant, she was born March 9, 1928, in Kankakee. Graduating from St. Patrick's High School in 1946, she then attended Marycrest College in Iowa. Returning to Kankakee, she married Maynard Bissonnette in 1948 and raised a family of six children. She moved to San Diego, Calif., in 1972.

Charlotte thrived as a mother and homemaker. She loved to cook and her pies were perfection. She gained a reputation as a gracious hostess and took great delight in entertaining family and friends. Blessed with a green thumb, gardening and flower arranging were a lifetime passion. Her sense of humor was loved by the children in her life and she delighted in her grandchildren. Charlotte served on the St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary, the Red Cross Volunteer Organization and numerous other community fundraising groups. An avid bridge player, she belonged to a bridge and dinner club for many years. Although not an athlete, she played golf for several years at the Kankakee Country Club and scored a hole-in-one to the amazement of her foursome. Her lifelong interest in movies and music are part of her legacy.

Charlotte is survived by her six children, Andrew (Deborah) Bissonnette, of Wisconsin, Maria (Michael) Moy, of San Diego, Thomas (Debbie) Bissonnette, of Las Vegas, Edward (Joy) Bissonnette, of Denver, Denise (Rob) Bissonnette, of Canada, and Michelle (Robert) Donahue, of Orange County. She is also survived by her siblings, Ron (Georgia), Ken (Sharon), Jim, Dorothy, Mary, Michele, Kathy, Andrea (Bret) and Leon (Maureen); 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She will be remembered as a beautiful woman with bright blue eyes, tremendous energy and boundless enthusiasm. Her ability to remain positive, cheerful and with a spring in her step was admired and appreciated by her loved ones. Charlotte's loving and lively spirit will be dearly missed by all.

A family service will be held in California in February, and a memorial visitation will be held at the Schreffler Life Story Funeral Home in Kankakee, IL Friday, April 26, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. until 3:45 pm, her ashes will be laid to rest in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Kankakee, Illinois immediately following the memorial visitation.