Faye Lorraine Bodeau was born in Townsville, Queensland, Australia on July 17, 1944 to George and Joyce Birdwell. She moved to the United States when she was 13 months old. They lived in Montana before moving to Coulee Dam, WA. Faye was the older sister and protector to her brothers Jim, Bob and Jerry. Faye graduated from Coulee Dam High School in 1962.
During high school, Faye met the love of her life at CYO when he was a senior and she was a freshman. Don and Faye were married at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wilbur on February 12, 1966. Together, they built a successful farm and a beautiful family with many years of memories. What started out with driving Dad’s ’57 Ford on date nights turned into a wonderful 57 years of marriage! Together they raised 4 children—Brenda, Mark, Rhonda and Debbie. They were amazing grandparents to Abigail, Zachary, Jeffrey and Cody. She cherished her role as Great Grandma to Evelyn and Franklin.
Faye was a devout Catholic and active in her church throughout her life. All 3 daughters, a son, and 2 grandsons made their Girl Scout Gold Award and Boy Scout Eagle projects for the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wilbur. Faye was a devoted housewife, farm wife and loving mother and grandma. She was our Sewin’ Chefs 4-H leader and loved to play games!
As a couple, they loved to travel! She also grew to love Gonzaga basketball and had both men’s and women’s season tickets. These 2 things combined for many trips to the WCC tournaments in Vegas as well as NCAA tournament games in the current Zags run of 27 straight NCAA appearances including the Final Four in Phoenix. Go Zags!
She is survived by her daughters Brenda, Debbie, Rhonda and husband Todd. Grandchildren Abigail, Zachary, Cody, and Jeffrey and wife Madison and their children Evelyn and Franklin. Faye is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Julanne, her brother-in-law Dean, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Faye is proceeded in death by her husband of 57 years Donald, parents George and Joyce, her in-laws Alfred & Beulah, her only son Mark, her brothers Jim & wife Gitte and Bob, and sister-in-law Carol.
Memorials can be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 606 SW Alder, Wilbur, 99185; Wilbur EMS/Ambulance, Box 214, Wilbur; Hesseltine Library, Box 214, Wilbur; or Hospice House of Spokane, 121 S Arthur St, Spokane, WA 99202. The family appreciated the special love and care given in Mom’s last 5 days at Holy Family Hospital and Hospice House of Spokane. Truly a blessing to us so we could focus on Mom!
Rosary Services will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 7pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wilbur. Funeral Mass will be held at 11am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on her birthday, Friday, July 17, 2026. Interment at the Wilbur Cemetery, Wilbur, WA.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.strate-funeral.com for the Bodeau family. STRATE FUNERAL HOME, DAVENPORT, WA is caring for the family.
