NEW BEDFORD — Lillian (Gauvin) Bendiksen, age 81 years, of New Bedford, went to be with her Lord Jesus on Tuesday January 6, 2009. She was the wife of the late Bjarne "Benny" Bendiksen.
Born in New Bedford, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Blacow and Bertha (Doherty) Gauvin.
Lillian was a communicant of the Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. In her earlier years, she was a Barbazon model in New York City and had been active with the New Bedford Civic Choir and Your Theatre presentations.
She was a loving mother and grandmother and supportive of many charitable organizations.
She is survived by her sons, Bernard Bendiksen and his wife, Eileen of Middleborough and Bruce Bendiksen and his wife, Cheryl of Fairhaven; her granddaughters, Courtney, Ashley, Karyssa, Rebecca and Michelle; sisters, Florence Pires, Alice Aadland and Rita Mello, all of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Gladys Williamson of Dartmouth; and nieces and nephews.
She was the sister of the late Marcella Eide, Therese Cambra and Antone Gauvin.
Visitation will be on Friday, January 9, 2009, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., in the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St., New Bedford. Her service will be from the funeral home on Saturday at 9:30 a.m., followed by a Mass at Holy Name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church at 10:30 a.m.
Remembrances may be made in her name to the American Heart Assn., 20 Speen St., Framingham, Ma. 01701 or the Children's Miracle Network, 4525 South 2300 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84117.