Billard, Elma Arlene passed away peacefully with family by her side in her 85th year. She was born in Pembroke, Ontario and grew up in Beardmore, Ontario. She moved to Thunder Bay with her parents in 1950 where she attended high school.
She married Melvin Turrie in 1953 and bore him 2 sons which she raised alone. She worked for 17 years at the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital in food services retiring in 1973.
She married Martin Billard in 1972 and they spent many happy years together until he passed away on March 27, 2011.
She is survived by her two sons, Kurtis Turrie (Mary Jane), Gordon Turrie (Patti), 6 grandchildren, Randy (Angie), Robert, Danielle (Roy), Derek (Darlene), Elaine and Lenore, 12 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren, 2 sisters, Shirley Rekofski, Dianne Dubois (Fern) and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Charles and Lillian Robinson, daughter- in-law Joanne, brother-in-law, Charles Dubois, Robert Rekofski and her loving husband Martin Billard.
Arlene requested simple final arrangements with cremation, which has already taken place and no service. In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Ashes will be interred at a later date.