Jean D. Paquette

Jean was born on June 8th, 1939, in Beaver Grove, MI, to Adele (LaBlue) Trudeau and John Trudeau II, the fourth of eight children.

She met Bruce Paquette, her “Knight in shining armor” when she was in 8th grade and later graduated from Graveraet High School in 1957. On September 14th, 1957, she married Bruce and they enjoyed 64 years together.

Jean and Bruce moved to Northern Indiana in 1960, as Bruce became a merchant mariner working on the Great Lakes for 28 years. Jean raised four children, much of the time on her own, as Bruce sailed the lakes.

She was a working mom for years as a secretary at Indiana Harbor Catholic Elementary School in East Chicago, Indiana. In 1976, they moved the family back to Marquette, MI. Again, Jean enjoyed secretarial work at Marquette Senior High School and later at Northern Michigan University.

After retirement, she enjoyed organizing functions at St Louis the King Church, class reunions, volunteering at St. Vincent DePaul and genealogy. Jean could tell you the entire family history backwards if you asked her to! She loved sharing all the family connections with relatives by writing a book that listed them all. She loved camping with Bruce, playing cards, NMU hockey games, spending time with family, along with visiting and fishing with her daughter and son-in-law in Northern Wisconsin for many years. Her lifelong faithfulness to the Catholic Church was evident to all who knew her.

Beloved survivors are, her husband, Bruce; one son, Joseph Paquette (Toni) of Hualapai, AZ, two daughters, Vicki Jordens (Gary/Mic) and Paula Paquette (Mike Wipfli), both of Marquette, grandchildren, James Whitlow (Allison Moon), Garrett Paquette, Heather (Michael) Mattson, Josh Tryan, Andy Tryan and Tony Paquette (Mimi Gentry), five great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition, Jean had stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren in Northern Wisconsin. She is also survived by siblings, Robert (Helen) Belanger of FL, Jerry (Sandy) Trudeau of NV, Sharon (Earl/Butch) Carlson of Skandia, Darlene (William/Mickey) Frazier, John (Phyllis) Trudeau III and Randy (Barbara) Trudeau, all of Marquette & Harvey.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Adele and John Trudeau II, brother, Arthur (Jack) Belanger, son, Curt Paquette, niece, Amy Belanger and nephews, Kevin Frazier and Steven Belanger.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St Louis the King Church in Harvey on Wednesday, November 10th, 2021, at 11am, with Rev. Glenn Theoret officiating. Visitation will take place beforehand from 10am – 11am. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Marquette at 2pm.

Due to the current COVID pandemic, a memorial celebration of Jean’s life and luncheon will take place outdoors in June, 2022. Information will be announced at that time. In lieu of flowers, a donation to her favorite charity, St Vincent DePaul in her name would be appreciated.

Grief is the last act of love we have to give to those we loved. Where there is deep grief, there was great love.

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.