Mary Dianne (Didi) Bellegarde Obituary
Mary Dianne (Didi) Thibodeau Bellegarde, 79, of Gloucester, secure in her faith, Didi passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family, on January 10, 2023. She was born in Rockport on September 20, 1943, to Charles & Marguerite (Orr) Thibodeau. The treasured second child of eight, Didi was warm, thoughtful, and kind to all. Remembered by some for her many years of service at The Gull restaurant, Didi was always a calm and even-keeled presence in the lives of her family and friends. A truly gentle spirit, she loved the ocean (especially Front Beach in Rockport), times spent on her dad & Stepmom's boat ("Oh Wow"), fun trips down to Foxwoods with her daughters and family, and participating in Jimmy Fund Walk-a-thons. Didi had a deep and abiding love of music. Some of her favorites included Yanni, Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, and The Gipsy Kings. Her family was her greatest treasure and the times spent with them were her fondest moments.
She is survived by her devoted daughters Susan, wife of Jeffrey Wood, and LeeAnn Bellegarde (who faithfully cared for her in her later years); her grandchildren AJ Wood, Tyler Bellegarde, Marina Hall & Alex Wood, and great-granddaughter Makenna Bellegarde. She also leaves behind siblings Margaret (Peggy), wife of Walter Kiefer, Elizabeth, wife of Stephen Gillis, Charles (husband of Stacey Thibodeau), Stephen Thibodeau, Buffy, (wife of Bruce Rowell), Wes (husband of Deborah Thibodeau) & Christina (wife of David Ackerman), many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and her beloved cat, Mia. Didi was predeceased by her loving parents Charlie and Marie, her stepmother Evon Johnson, her husband Warren, and her nephew Michael Kiefer.
Donations may be made in Didi's memory to two charities very close to her heart, The Cape Ann Animal Aid and The Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
As reflected in the writings of Mother Theresa, Didi lived her life with these guiding tenets: "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier". She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Didi's visiting hours will be held in Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester on Monday, January 16, from 5-7p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Ann's Church (Holy Family Parish) 60 Prospect Street, Tuesday January 17, at 1p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial to follow in Calvary Cemetery.
