I have so many memories of my Aunt Mary Alice.  There were the Bilikam Christmas celebrations, the times spent at the farm - playing in the yard, sharing a meal  and watching my Dad, Ray & Uncle Ronald fighting over who got to lick the ice cream paddle after making home made ice cream.  Then there were the wonderful times spend at Catawba Island.  We had family reunions, picnics and just plain fun spending time together and laughing.  We looked forward every summer to spending time at the lake with Ron & Mary Alice.  Mary Alice was kind, caring and always ready to listen.  I know she will live on in so many people's hearts who she touched.
Love,
Diane

Very few people will understand the joy of having two mothers.  As next door neighbors for over 15 years Steve and I grew up as childhood "blood" brothers and did every thing together.  Mary Alice was like my second "Mom".  She and my mother were also best friends and our families shared many great moments growing up.  I will always remember her beautiful smile, sincere laughter and great sense of humor.  To Steve and Rita and all their family, my thoughts and prayers are with you always.  I will always remember Mary Alice as a beautful and loving person, and know in my heart that she was a large and positive influence in my life.  
Dale Brown

Mary Alice was such a kind person.  I would talk to her on the phone about Marcena when she was living with us after Forest died.  She helphed me get through some of the "trying" times.  Also, I can still see my Mother and Mary Alice laughing and having such a good time together.  I know the short friendship that my Mom & yours had was special for my Mom.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Rita and your family.
Cheryl

I and my Grandmother, as well as my Grandfather who passed away two years ago, had a very special relationship.  This close bond was most likely born from countless hours on the family farm, learning about the ways of the world through their eyes and with their guidance.  Yes, sure....I learned to hunt and fish and cut wood on the farm.  But more importantly, I was given constant lessons in the core life skills that build character in a young man:  Never raise your hand to a woman; stick up for yourself when you're right; be a good and decent person.  To convey such lessons to a young man requires an equal blend of grit and compassion, and Grandma had both.

For every memory I have of my Grandma hugging me and reaffirming in me that everything was going to "work out just fine" - and I tell you, she provided these reaffirmations right up until the end of her life with us here on Earth - I have a corresponding memory of her stomping the throttle of the old clunker car in the driveway, cigarrette dangling from her mouth, engine churning and trying to start as she swore and tried the key time and time again.  Or, there was the time that Grandpa and I set off into the woods to cut firewood.  Grandpa drove the tractor.  I drove the dump truck.  I was twelve years old.  Being as my Grandmother had a job in the public education system, it didn't take long for her to do the math: two moving vehicles, only two men on the job, one of whom was barely tall enough to see over the steering wheel.  I can tell you that my memory of this event included my Grandmother gliding across the hay field towards our caravan with relative ease, considering the height of the grass and uneven terrain, curlers in her hair, a broom swinging from side to side above her head, shouting things at my Grandfather that made me cower in the seat of the truck where I sat.

Like I said before....grit and compassion.

Grandpa in his later years likened this event to the wicked witch of the west flying across the hay field, complete with broom and all.  This usually brought about a slight scowel from Grandma, who would usually break into a rant about how she feared for my safety, and how dumb it was for Grandpa to have allowed me to drive the truck over the thin strip of land that separated the pond and the adjacent ravine at such a young age.  I must have heard the story recounted a hundred times.  It never got old.

Grandma, I will miss you.  I take solice knowing that you and Grandpa have reunited in a better place, and promise to pass down the lessons that you've instilled in me to my son, Price.  I have many a story to share with him as he grows older!

Love you always, Grandma.

#1 Grandson

MARY ALICE WAS A BEAUTIFUL HAPPY PERSON. WE SHARED MANY HAPPY TIMES AT CATAWBA ISLAND WHERE WE ALL LIVED IN A SMALL COMMUNITY CALLER GLACIAL GROVES. I REMEMBER HER AND RON WELL. THEY ALWAYS ENJOYED LIFE TOGETHER. THE SMILE YOU SEE IN THIS PICTURE IS THE ONE SHE ALWAYS HAD. I NEVER SAW HER WITH OUT A SMILE ON HER FACE. SHE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL. MY GRANDCHILDREN CALLED HER GRANDMA WHICH SHE AND HER BEST FRIEND JANET ASKED THEM TO. THEY ALWAYS ASK ABOUT HER. GOD BLESS HER FAMILY AT THIS TIME OF SORROW. YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS.

STEVE & DEBI

OBITUARY

Mary Alice Bilikam

January 27, 1925 – July 28, 2010

Schoedinger Midtown

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