Carol A. Bertrand Obituary

A celebration of life service will be held at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, beginning at 11:00 am. The family will receive friends at the funeral home beginning at 10:00 am, one hour prior to the service. Interment will be held at Boughton Cemetery in Scotts, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o the funeral home.

Age 78, passed away on Friday, September 6, 2024. She was born in Adrian, MI, the daughter of the late Jess and Margaret (McNally) Tidmore. Carol is survived by her son, Robert B. Bertrand; her sister, Patricia (Steve) Yamin; her brothers, Jerald (Pam) and Thomas (Tammy) Tidmore; her grandchildren, Emma Bertrand and Samantha Bertrand; her nephew, Jared Yamin and her former husband and lifelong friend Robert C. Bertrand. A 1964 graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School, Carol initially gained experience at IBM before establishing and running Bee Clean Building Services in the Kalamazoo area. She took great pride in being a pioneer among women-owned businesses. Carol had a soft spot for her dogs (all of whom were her constant companions, accompanying her to work and home again). Conversely, she feared being dubbed the 'cat lady' as many cats tended to 'find her' and made her home theirs. Family was important to her as evidenced when her younger special needs sister Mary lost her housing in California; she brought her to Michigan, finding a peaceful home for her and made sure she was nearby. But it was her granddaughters, Emma and Samantha, who were the true lights of her life. She took immense pride in their accomplishments and loved them deeply. Carol loved being the 'eldest of the Tidmore kids' and always used to say she was going to live to be 107. God had different plans though, leaving her family and friends bereft. We will always remember her resolute and faithful spirit.