Mary Lou Rabidoux

Mary Lou passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at McLaren Bay Region at the age of 80. She was born on March 15, 1943 in Cheboygan, Michigan to the late Thomas and Lucille (Vieau) Cauchy. She was a devout Catholic and was a member of Corpus Christi Parish where she was involved in the Altar Sodality and the choir. Mary Lou was a mother of four boys and always kept a meticulous home, which was never easy to do with her four boys. She was involved in many school activities such as the P.T.A, room mother and a cub scout leader. Mary Lou had a love for reading, painting, doing crafts and tending to her flower garden, especially her roses.
Mary Lou together with her husband Paul, supported all of their boys (Craig, Troy, Darrin, Shawn) activities; little league, football, basketball, wrestling, track, swimming, bmx, hockey and any other activity the boys showed an interest in. Whether it was simply shuttling them around, volunteering with concessions, coaching or assisting wherever a helping hand was needed no matter how significant or insignificant a role that might be. Also, having the neighborhood pool and loving the water allowed Mary Lou to share her heart for service again by teaching many of the neighborhood kids that couldn’t swim the chance to, “sink or swim”. The children feared these lessons and many of them would aspirate water, vomit, kick, scream, cry etc. Some even claimed traumatic psychological effects for many days after, but not one child technically died and no one ever walked away from her pool without having first learned to swim. It was tough love for sure, but it was born out of her desire to never have a kid in her care drown. She gave many, many kids the ability and confidence to enjoy the water for a lifetime of fun, not fear.
Mary Lou also enjoyed traveling, going on cruises with close friends and spending time in Florida. After raising her boys Mary Lou worked with special needs children for over 15 years. She enjoyed spending time and supporting her children and grandchildren with all their sporting events.
On behalf of all “her boys” we would be remised not to express our heartfelt gratitude for our mom, however summing up 80 plus years in a couple paragraphs is an impossible task. Our mother gave up a career outside of the home helping others as that is what really inspired her. She was a voracious reader and had a passion for the medical field. She could talk about modern medicine for hours and never tire of it. Our mom had the knowledge of a well-seasoned nurse and I think if she didn’t decide to go “all in” on family she would’ve made an amazing nurse and a fair amount of money ta boot. But what she chose was us, raising her boys not her savings account. We drove her up the wall at times as four young boys will often do, but we always knew even while being chased around the kitchen table evading our deserved punishment or a, “wait till your dad gets home” threat or even a mouth full of Lava soap for swearing. She simply loved her family with the sweetest, kindness and fullest of hearts and that is what us boys will carry with us until we’re all reunited (God willing) in heaven.
We would also like to extend a very special thank you to all the ICU nurses at McLaren Bay Region, you were the absolute best.
Mary Lou is survived by her husband of over 58 years, Paul Rabidoux; four boys, Craig (Pamela) Rabidoux, Troy Rabidoux, Darrin (Sheryl) Rabidoux and Shawn Rabidoux; grandchildren, Samantha (Brandon) Rice, Justin (Lauren) Rabidoux, Kori (Justin) Guinn, Nathan Rabidoux and his fiancé, Addisen Rogner, Annabelle Rabidoux and Natalie Rabidoux; great grandchildren, Calihan Rice, Winifred Rabidoux, William Rabidoux, Lennon Rice, Walter Rabidoux and Hudson Guinn; siblings, Nancy Cauchy, Linda (Richard) Niedzwiecki, Carol (Michael) Kettle and Pat (Meg) Cauchy; sister-in-law’s, Karlene Rabidoux, Marcia (Larry) Rice and Dorothy Cauchy; brother-in-law’s, David (Cindy) Rabidoux, Dennis (Sandy) Rabidoux and Al Eyre and many nieces, nephews and close friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Tom Cauchy; sisters, Theresa Cauchy, who passed away at a young age, and Joanne Cauchy-Buzzard; sister-in-law, Janice Eyre; godchild, Lisa Horner and father and mother-in-law, William and Virginia Rabidoux.
Funeral Mass for Mary Lou will take place on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Corpus Christi Parish. Concelebrating will be Rev. Fr. Bert Gohm and Rev. Fr. Kevin Kerbawy. The family will be present to receive visitors on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Gephart Funeral Home with a Vigil service taking place at 7:00 p.m. that will be officiated by Deacon David Adler. The family will also be present to receive visitors at the Church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Corpus Christi Parish.