Billee Lardner Landry
3/25/31 - 7/22/12


Billee Lardner Landry passed away peacefully on July 22, 2012 following a short illness. True to form, the heavens danced with a spectacular summer lightning and thunder show announcing her arrival.
Billee was born in Auburn, Calif., and lived there most of her life. She attended Placer High School and graduated in 1949. One of 11 children born to William Branson Lardner and Amonda Johnson Lardner, she was the youngest daughter. Following high school, she put herself through college and graduated from San Jose State University in 1953. She immediately landed her first teaching job in Avenal, California. It was from this very first class that a former student tracked her down in 2010 and invited her to be his guest at the Avenal High School all-year class reunion. In his words, "you made such a difference in our lives, I wanted to see you again and thank you for being such a great teacher." This was a common theme throughout her career as often noted by her grandchildren. While attending their numerous school and sporting events, old students would approach her for a hug and a chat prompting the grandchildren to query, "Is there anyone who wasn't in your class and didn't love you Grammee?"
Billee was married to the love of her life, Curtis Landry for 50 years before his passing in 2004. Their five children adored and will greatly miss their mother.
Those who had the privilege of knowing Billee will agree that the love for her big, beautiful family and her hometown of Auburn brought her much joy. She loved the summer family parties at her sister Jane's ranch, the Palisades Lake annual family reunion, as well as all of the family gatherings she hosted and attended throughout the years.
Billee was a true modern-day woman and before her time. Not only was she a wonderful wife and mother, but also a full-time teacher, master seamstress, avid reader, conversationalist, costume maker, sports-team mother, driver, baker - you name it, she did it. She remained intelligent, witty and sharp as a tack up until her illness.
Billee is survived by her five children, Dick Landry (Ruth), Liz Barth (James), Jane Riboni (John), Charles Landry (Kimberly) and Jim Landry (Amy) as well as her grandchildren, Jennifer, Lauren, Shelly, Jason, Mollie, Sara, Christopher, Madison, Jackson, great-granddaughter, Addison and great-grandsons, Conner and Parker - her sisters Lorraine, Claire and Lynette as well as numerous nieces and nephews who adored her.
Her beautiful blue eyes and adorable smile will be missed by all who knew her and she will be loved everlasting.
A celebration of Billee's life will be held on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 1 p.m. at the Flower Farm Inn in Loomis, California.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or Placer High School Foundation.

Published in Gold Country Media Newspapers on July 27, 2012 .