Anne Billiou

Anne Spencer Billiou, of Glenn County, near Hamilton City, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012, at the age of 89. Anne Rose, as she was known to her family and multitude of friends, was born in San Francisco to Herbert Stephen Spencer and Marie Frances Gildea. She grew up in Mill Valley with her sister, Sally (Diehl), who preceded her in death. Anne attended the Dominican Convent High School in San Rafael and helped her mother with her millinery business. During wartime, she became a proud, active member of the United States Marine Corps, serving in the supply chain. After the war, she attended Stanford University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts and Teaching credentials. She taught elementary school in San Francisco, and for a short time in Glenn County. On June 30, 1951, she married the love of her life, Joe Billiou Jr. and moved to Hamilton City to spend the next 61 years as a hard working farm wife, mother, teacher, and friend to many. She loved to dance and play cards with her friends and cooked like a gourmet. She was a fearless traveler, whether on a sailboat or a pack mule. One of her favorite past times was watercolor painting, especially of her travel experiences. Anne was an active member of many organizations, including the Cub Scouts, the PTA, Omega Nu, Enloe Hospital volunteers, and the Butte Creek Country Club. She was a devout Catholic all of her life and spent many years as a parishioner and volunteer at St. Dominic's Catholic Church. Above all, Anne found the greatest joy in being with her family and friends. She was the consummate hostess, who spent her life making sure that everyone around her was happy and always well fed! Anne is survived by her husband, Joseph; her children, Michael (Kerry) of Hamilton City; Sally Fleischman (Robert) of Penngrove, and Jane Anne Armour (Gerald) of Paradise, CA; two grandchildren, Jordan and Victoria Rose Fleischmann; two nieces, Susan and Stacey Diehl, and nephew, Spencer Diehl of Oregon. A Catholic Rosary will be held on Tuesday evening, Sept. 25, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at Brusie Funeral Home in Chico. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Divine Savior Catholic Church in Chico on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Arrangements are by Brusie Funeral Home.