FORT MYERS, Fla. — Becky Bodnar fiercely cherished her household and mates, and was meticulous in each sense of the phrase about her work in language and dance.
And her husband, Robert Rigaux, was a captivating mind who adored his spouse.
“They simply glowed after they would take a look at one another,” mentioned Bodnar’s aunt, Grace Nolan.
Their love story started in his native France and would ultimately take them to Fort Myers Seaside, Florida – the place the couple, who had been married for greater than 4 a long time, had retired.
Bodnar and Rigaux died after the storm surge from Hurricane Ian swept them and their dwelling. They have been 80 and 79, respectively.
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Born in Cleveland, Ohio as her dad and mom’ solely youngster, Bodnar was outgoing, a perfectionist and cherished to bounce, notably ballet.
“We form of grew up collectively,” mentioned Nolan, who’s 9 years older than Bodnar. “She was completely pleasant in her youthful years.”
At Butler College in Indianapolis, Bodnar studied English, French and ballet. She would go on to show the romance language at Shelbyville Excessive College.
Bodnar was additionally well-known for choreographing the varsity’s musicals and cheerleading routines, together with the annual can-can routine that “simply introduced down the home,” mentioned lifelong good friend Debby Jones.
It was at the highschool that Bodnar would meet 14-year-old Jones, who’s round 10 years Bodnar’s junior. Bodnar additionally taught at Jones’ mom’s dance studio. The 2 bonded over their shared admiration for the artwork.
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The pair saved in contact after Jones graduated and when Bodnar achieved a life-long dream of transferring to France to show English at a college there.
In letters through the years to Jones, Bodnar would all the time log out, “Possibly not by blood, however by love, we’re sisters.”
Bodnar lived in France for about 4 years, the place she met Rigaux. They married in 1976, with one ceremony in Europe and one within the States.
Bodnar, who saved her maiden identify for educating functions, then bought a job at Georgia State College in Atlanta and labored within the English as a Second Language Program.
The couple would retire to Fort Myers Seaside, the place Bodnar’s dad and mom had purchased a house in 1972, ultimately changing it into two items.
When Jones met Rigaux, she took discover immediately. “He was the proper gentleman, particularly towards Becky,” she mentioned.
It confirmed in the best way he checked out her, how he would pull the chair out for her at a restaurant, when he stood up if she left or entered a room.
“That meant loads to me that she discovered somebody like him,” she mentioned.
He was “somewhat reserved” in comparison with Becky, however educated in lots of topics, whether or not it was present occasions, politics, historical past or computer systems, Jones mentioned. Rigaux loved taking part in bridge and biking up and down the Gulf Coast. Bodnar saved busy, too, belonging to a bonsai membership, the ladies’s membership and her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega.
The couple would fly again to France twice a yr, sharing pictures and descriptions of their travels to family and friends alongside the best way.
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The couple had endured storms through the years, however Hurricane Irma had frightened Bodnar, Jones mentioned. But she thought the worst of Ian could be in Tampa.
Through the years, Jones would ask if Bodnar would return dwelling to Indiana. Her response: “Does it nonetheless snow?” When Jones replied sure, Bodnar would say, “There’s your reply.”
As family and friends grieve, they cherish “the many joyful reminiscences” of the couple.
“Oh expensive Robert, we’ve looked for you and Becky for over per week now and at last discovered you within the final place on earth we wished you to be,” wrote good friend Phyllis Moir on Rigaux’s public memorial web page. “The one excellent news in all of this catastrophic tragedy is the various joyful reminiscences we’ve of time spent with you and Becky over the previous few years.”
Observe Hannah Morse on Twitter @mannahhorse.
