Rena Marie Tardiff Obituary (1925 - 2013)

Winslow -- Rena Marie Tardiff Sylvain, 88, a lifetime resident of Winslow, ME went to the Lord the morning of December 11, 2013 following a long battle with dementia while a resident at Glenridge Nursing Home in Augusta, ME. Rena was Born October 9, 1925 in Bristol Connecticut, the daughter of Henri and Eliza Sylvain. She married Bernard Arthur Tardiff on August 9, 1947 and they raised five children together. Rena is survived by her husband, sister, Leta Rider and companion Roger Gauthier of Sidney, a son, Paul Tardiff of Waterville; four daughters, Mrs. John Barbara Otis of Belgrade, Ms. Marlene Cobb, and Mrs. Douglas Pat White, of Vassalboro, and Ms. Theresa Tardiff and her husband Mark McCluskey of Fairfield; six grandchildren, Libby Dan LaRochelle, Rebecca Jeramy French, James Otis, Jason Ang McCluskey, Breanna McCluskey and Taylor McCluskey; and four great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her father and mother, Henri, and Eliza Sylvain; brothers, Guilford Sylvain of Eugene, WA., Donald Sylvain of Farmington, Leo Sylvain of Winslow, most recently, Trudi Rutherford of Texas and Robert Sylvain of N.H.; niece, Anne Sylvain Fredericks of CA.; nephew, Lawrence Hebert of Maine. Rena retired from the Waterville Savings Bank TD Bank in 1987. Rena owned Specialty Cakes making wedding and birthday cakes for celebrants throughout New England. She donated many cakes to various schools and church functions. She produced extravagant gingerbread houses and donated them to the St. John Church Christmas fairs over the course of 35 years. She taught cake decorating at Waterville Adult Education. Rena was very active in the Catholic Church as a Eucharistic Minister and a Reader during Mass for several years. Rena was loving, caring and generous; her soul was full of grace. She will be sadly missed by all. The family of Rena would like to thank the staff at Glenridge and MaineGeneral Hospice for providing loving care to Rena during her last few weeks. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations in Rena Tardiff's memory be made to MaineGeneral Hospice, 10 Water St., Suite 307, Waterville, ME 04901. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Sat., Dec. 21, at St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument St., Winslow. A register book may be signed and condolences may be expressed at www.gallantfh.com. Arrangements are with Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville.