Bernice Mary LaLonde Obituary
Bernice M. LaLondeStandish, MichiganMrs. Bernice Mary LaLonde passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 16, 2026 at MyMichigan Skilled Nursing Facility. Her family lost a true Matriarch. Bunny, as she was fondly known, was born April 24, 1932, in Standish, Michigan to Edmund and Mamie (Reno) Trombley. She married Raymond L. LaLonde on Sept. 3, 1949, and together they raised their eight children and one grandson on the family farm south of Standish. She was a devoted mother to her family and loved dearly. If you walked through Mom's home, the pictures on her walls reflected what was truly important to her. There were pictures of us, all her grandchildren, as well as numerous graduation and wedding pictures. Multiple crucifixes adorned her walls, as a testament to her faith and she prayed the Rosary each night, her arthritic fingers knowing each bead by feel. Each morning at 5 AM, she was in her antique rocker, reading her prayer book and praying for all her children and grandchildren. She served our Lord and instilled in us. His compassion and greatness. She loved her home and farm, working tirelessly in her flower gardens and on the hill, weed whacking, moving rocks, and growing flowers that grew larger than anyone else's. In her younger days, she worked in the fields side by side with her kids, hoeing, picking pickles, including some that others "pretended" to pick, and moving bales of hay that Dad always made too heavy. She never made us do work that she, herself, would not do. She loved farming with Randy, driving him from field to field, and watching to make sure he was safe. She was very proud that Bob, and his son, Joey, are now farming the property, using tips from Randy. She loved her grandchildren and was a large part of their upbringing. She taught them about gardening, tending flowers, and helped Delinah and Tiffany hoe beans to "keep their spirits up.". She thoroughly loved being a grandmother and spent hours outside watching them play. The grandchildren, now that they are adults and raising families, have fond memories of those days that shaped their own lives. We were blessed to be born to our Mom and Dad. We knew we were loved. While she was in the hospital, she thanked us for making her life so wonderful. We told her no, we thank you, Mom.
She is survived by her children: Dr. Lawrence (Laura) LaLonde of Roscommon, Lionel (Pam) LaLonde of Sterling, Rodney (Nancy) LaLonde of Auburn, Randy (Jeannine) LaLonde of Bentley, Dr. Raymond LaLonde of Standish, Lori (Dave) Hatfield of Whittemore, Lisa (Jay) Krystyniak of Sterling, Robert (Deanne) LaLonde of Standish, and grandson Landon (Katie) LaLonde of Waterford. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren due to be born this spring and summer. Also surviving her are siblings: Ronald Trombley, Karen (Gene) Viola, Jean (Gary) Courier, Gary (Cindy) Trombley, brothers-in-law Frank Boike, Larry Foco, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond, after 49 years of marriage, her parents, and siblings: Edmund "Slip" (Cecilia) Trombley, Edsel (Edie) Trombley, Donna (William) Pierson, Verna Ann (Wayne) Beechum, Barbara Boike, Mary Lynn Foco, sister-in-law Dottie Trombley, and brother-in-law Virgil Byrnes.
A private graveside service at Pine River Cemetery is planned for this spring.
The family wishes to thank the doctors and especially the nurses at MyMichigan Standish, MyMichigan Skilled Nursing Facility Standish, and Compassus Hospice Care for their compassionate care.
