Linda Dianne Groleau
Linda Dianne (Cooper) Groleau, a beloved and dedicated wife, mother, and friend, died peacefully with her husband Bill by her side, on Friday, February 9, 2024, in Charlotte. Linda was born July 6, 1943, at the family home in Vermontville, the daughter of Hugh and Almary (Root) Cooper. She grew up in the farmhouse on the corner of Stine and Kinsel for 19 years. As a child, Linda contributed to the family work, particularly in helping to catch the chickens so her brother, Bill, could do the dirty work in preparing them for meals. She attended Millerburg Country School from Kindergarten through 6th grade, where she often helped care for the younger students. She went on to Charlotte High School and graduated in the class of 1961. During her high school years, she stayed busy on the family farm, thus was too busy for sports, but she did excel at baton twirling, even winning awards.
Linda’s first job was in the front office of the pickle factory in Eaton Rapids, MI. Her big career break came on February 5, 1962, when Charlotte High School business teacher John Smith, then the Chairman of the Board of Eaton Federal Savings and Loan, recommended Linda to the bank president, Huey Stall. She went to work at the bank starting for $1.25/hour but worked her way up the ladder to Secretary/Treasurer (a modern day CFO), before her retirement on December 30, 2006 after 44 years of service. It took four and a half employees to fill Linda’s shoes when she left the bank. Many of her coworkers affectionately referred to her as “boss,” “guidance counselor,” “marriage counselor,” but most importantly, “friend.”
Linda met her husband, Bill Groleau when her brother, Bill, set her up on a blind date on April 11th, 1970. They hit if off immediately and were married just six months later on October 24, 1970, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte, where they would remain lifetime members. Bill recounts their marriage as in saying, “Wedded bliss it’s not always been, what it has been is a slice of heaven.”
Linda is survived by her husband, Bill Groleau; son, Michael Groleau; daughter, Kara Groleau; brother, Bill (Martha) Cooper; and many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Dick (Lila) Cooper and Bob (Bev) Cooper; sister, Nancy (Roger) McDonald; and her parents, Hugh and Mary Cooper.
Friends are encouraged to support Linda’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation was on Monday, February 12, 2024, with a Rosary held at 7:30 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Charlotte with Rev. Fr. Dwight Ezop officiating. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Linda’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Mary Catholic School. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.