Frances Jean Bilodeau, 85, a longtime resident of Cape St. Claire and Annapolis, departed this life on July 28, 2014.

Born in Towson, MD, in 1929, to David and Alice Dougherty, Jean graduated from Towson Catholic High and Catholic University, receiving a degree in nursing from the latter. In 1953, she married Armand Bilodeau (deceased), with whom she had five sons. In 1965 the Bilodeaus moved to Cape St. Claire, where Jean added "community service" to the already imposing responsibilities of raising a large family and working as a nurse. She served as president of the Cape Women's Activities, head of the community's teen club, chair of the Strawberry Festival, and in many other service positions. Jean loved coffee and conversation with friends, mystery novels, Scrabble, and scruffy animals. Cancer couldn't take her, and she gave Alzheimer's all it could handle.

Her love and zest for life will be remembered by her surviving sons, David. D. Bilodeau (Sheila), of Davidsonville; Arthur E. Bilodeau (Elaine), of Louisville; KY; Michael J. Bilodeau (Tina), of Indianapolis, IN; and William G. Bilodeau, of Edgewater; by her brother, David Dougherty (Beverly), of Alexandria, VA; by nine grandchildren; and by a host of fine friends on Bestgate Road. Jean was predeceased by a fifth son, James A. Bilodeau. Her family wishes to thank the staff of HeartFields at Bowie for its attentive care during the last year.

A memorial mass will be held at St. John Neumann, of which she was a member, at 10:30 Friday morning. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Alzheimer's Foundation of America.