Obituary for BERNADINE GLEASON (Ayotte)
Bernadine Gleason, 90, of Ishpeming, entered eternal life Friday evening, November 22, 2019 at UP Health System in Marquette.
Bernadine was born January 11, 1929 in Ishpeming to Clarence ‘Curly’ and Domenica ‘Minnie’ (Marietti) Ayotte and graduated from Ishpeming High School, Class of 1946. Following graduation, she attended Nazareth College of Music in Kalamazoo for two years, and then was accepted to the DePaul School of Music in Chicago where she was a member of the University’s band. Bernadine also played the snare drum for the Blue Notes.
Bernadine was united in marriage to the late Thomas Gleason on September 13, 1952 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ishpeming, and together they raised three wonderful children.
Mrs. Gleason was a devout member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church where she played the organ for several years. She was a very talented pianist, organist and taught piano lessons out of her home for 68 years. In her free time, Bernadine enjoyed dancing with her husband and spending time at the camp on the dead river. She loved all sports, and was avid Ishpeming Hematite, Green Bay Packer and Detroit Pistons fan. Most of all, she loved her time spent with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving are her children: Bonnie (Al) Baciak of Kingsford, Brian (Patricia) Gleason of Gwinn and Brad (Tonya Harsila) Gleason of Ishpeming; five grandchildren: Renee Gleason, Ryan (Kate) Gleason, Mike (Shawna) Gleason, Kelly (Zac) Krause and Brian (Alisyn) Baciak; nine great-grandchildren: Brooke, Madison, Ashlyn, Reed, McKenna, Eliza, Thomas, Connor and Cooper; her sister-in-law, Eva Gulas of Seattle; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 59 years, Thomas ‘Tommy’ Gleason in 2011; and her brother, Clarence ‘Junior’ Ayotte.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am on Tuesday, November 26th at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming with Rev. Ryan Ford and Rev. Greg Heikkala officiating. Burial will be in the Ishpeming Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30 am until the time of Mass at 11:30 am at the church on Tuesday, and also at a luncheon in the church hall immediately following.
Bernadine’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.
Bernadine was born January 11, 1929 in Ishpeming to Clarence ‘Curly’ and Domenica ‘Minnie’ (Marietti) Ayotte and graduated from Ishpeming High School, Class of 1946. Following graduation, she attended Nazareth College of Music in Kalamazoo for two years, and then was accepted to the DePaul School of Music in Chicago where she was a member of the University’s band. Bernadine also played the snare drum for the Blue Notes.
Bernadine was united in marriage to the late Thomas Gleason on September 13, 1952 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ishpeming, and together they raised three wonderful children.
Mrs. Gleason was a devout member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church where she played the organ for several years. She was a very talented pianist, organist and taught piano lessons out of her home for 68 years. In her free time, Bernadine enjoyed dancing with her husband and spending time at the camp on the dead river. She loved all sports, and was avid Ishpeming Hematite, Green Bay Packer and Detroit Pistons fan. Most of all, she loved her time spent with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving are her children: Bonnie (Al) Baciak of Kingsford, Brian (Patricia) Gleason of Gwinn and Brad (Tonya Harsila) Gleason of Ishpeming; five grandchildren: Renee Gleason, Ryan (Kate) Gleason, Mike (Shawna) Gleason, Kelly (Zac) Krause and Brian (Alisyn) Baciak; nine great-grandchildren: Brooke, Madison, Ashlyn, Reed, McKenna, Eliza, Thomas, Connor and Cooper; her sister-in-law, Eva Gulas of Seattle; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband of 59 years, Thomas ‘Tommy’ Gleason in 2011; and her brother, Clarence ‘Junior’ Ayotte.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am on Tuesday, November 26th at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming with Rev. Ryan Ford and Rev. Greg Heikkala officiating. Burial will be in the Ishpeming Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30 am until the time of Mass at 11:30 am at the church on Tuesday, and also at a luncheon in the church hall immediately following.
Bernadine’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.