November is the Month of the Holy Souls, a time when Catholics are called to remember and pray for those who have gone before us. In keeping with this tradition, we have been publishing stories of individuals laid to rest at Gardens of Gethsemani Catholic Cemetery.
These mini-biographies honour the legacy and lasting impact of each person, celebrating lives marked by faith, generosity, and virtue. Through their stories, we hope to inspire our community to reflect on the importance of memory and legacy, recognizing how past lives can illuminate our present and shape our future.
Titled A Time to Remember, A Time to Give Thanks, this series underscores our shared Catholic heritage and the beauty of commemorating those who lived their faith. Some of these remarkable individuals will also feature in the updated St. Peter’s Cemetery tour book, ensuring that their memory continues to inspire for generations to come.
This is the last story in the series.
Ellen Elizabeth Murphy Bilodeau’s life embodied the values of love, kindness, and faith and influenced her family and community.
Born in 1857 in Beloit Rock, Wisconsin, Ellen came to British Columbia as a young woman and, in 1881, married Peter Onesime Bilodeau (1851-1940), a prominent hotelier in the young city of New Westminster.
Together, they raised nine children, and Ellen’s quiet yet profound dedication became a foundation for her family and the community around her.
As a member of the Catholic Women’s League, Ellen was committed to service, showing her faith in practical ways that rarely drew attention but deeply touched lives of those around her. Joseph Dorgan, a close family friend, fondly described her as “an ideal woman, a wonderful mother, a good friend, and a gracious hostess.”
Ellen’s natural warmth extended beyond her family, as she quietly helped others and supported local charities, sharing her time and resources without ever seeking recognition.
Her life was not without hardship. Ellen endured the loss of two sons—Garnet, who drowned tragically at 25, and Frank, who passed away at 43—yet she remained a steady and resilient presence.
In her later years, her children, who had grown into active members of provincial affairs, reciprocated her care, surrounding her with the love and devotion she had shown them all her life.
Ellen’s legacy lies in the countless acts of kindness and quiet strength she demonstrated. Her life reminds us of the power of faith, the beauty of giving without expectation, and the lasting impact of a love that asks for nothing in return. She left a mark on her community that remains a source of inspiration and gratitude, a testament to the values she held dear.
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