Arlene M. (Shandonay) Beauvais, 87, of Escanaba, MI passed away peacefully Saturday, October 17, 2020 at her home after a nearly 3 year struggle with Alzheimer’s.
She was born May 20, 1933 in Escanaba, MI, daughter of the late Benjamin & Agnes Shandonay. Arlene was raised in Escanaba and attended the Escanaba Schools.
After school, Arlene married her sweetheart, Wilfred (Willy) on January 9, 1954 in Escanaba, MI and there they raised their family.
Arlene was an amazing cook who worked at Crispignia’s Restaurant in Escanaba, for 30 years while raising her 6 children.
Arlene loved to play bingo, collect Ty Beanie Babies & Packer memorabilia and watch her all-time favorite football team, The Green Bay Packers. She was extremely talented and could knit, crochet and cross stitch the most beautiful pieces. She also loved to cook & bake, especially around Christmas time where you could find the most amazing meat pies & Christmas cookies on her counters. She loved to spend her summers gardening as well as camping with her husband, kids & grandkids with Grand Marais being one of her favorite spots. When Arlene wasn’t home she could be found at the family hunting camp out in Cornell, where she loved to hunt and enjoy the outdoors. She also loved to travel with her niece Mary & sister Margaret who took her on many cross-country adventures. Anyone who knew Arlene knew that her door was always open, coffee was always on and she was happy to sit and visit with anyone who stopped by.
Arlene is survived by her 4 sons, Steve Beauvais, twins: Pete (Debbie) Beauvais & Paul (Chris) Beauvais and Robert (Brigitte) Beauvais of Escanaba, MI and 1 daughter, Mary (Gerald) Hardwick of Brampton, MI. Grandchildren, Jeremy, Audrey, Samantha, Emily, Gabby, Jason, Lindsey & Charlie as well as numerous great-grandchildren. 1 Sister, Margaret Faubert of Green Bay, WI, 1 brother, Ronald (Mary Jo) Shandonay of FL and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In addition to her parents, Arlene was preceded in death by her husband Wilfred (Willy) and son Thomas.
A graveside service will be conducted at the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Escanaba, MI on Friday, October 30 at 12:00 PM with Fr. Fran DeGroot officiating.
The Skradski Funeral Homes are assisting the family.
Karen - Gladstone, Mi
Arlene was a co-worker of mine for 25 years. Great lady! The good ole days. We had fun. Miss her. Wonderful cook. Your friend karen
Audrey Beauvais - Denver , CO
May you rest easy now, Grandma. I will always cherish the memories I have of you.
Jan C Kidd-Dahn - ESCANABA, MI
Greetings Arlene, May you rest in eternal peace.
You were in my thoughts. I looked you up, and found your obituary.
I know your daughter Mary from school, and met her again in 2017 through my Granddaughter Angelica Page. Both work/ed at Meijer, and became friends.
I enjoyed working with you at Crispigna’s. You were always good natured, happy, with a smile upon your face. If you ever had a bad day, know one ever knew as you camouflaged it well. Musta been the hunter in I read about. I thought of you many, many, many times through out the years. Rest well sweet lady, until we meet again.
Ave Maria,
Jan C. Kidd-Dahn
(tue09nov2021)
Donna Shandonay Lilsdonk - Appleton, Wi
I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch with your family and your sister Margaret. Is it possible to see Margaret? Is she still in Green Bay? I’d love to see her. I am your cousin Donna Shandonay and live in Appleton.