All Obituaries

HOLYOKE Marybeth (O’Connor) Murphy, a lifelong resident of Holyoke, died Tuesday, January 21 at Baystate Medical Center surrounded by her loving husband and family. She leaves her husband of 35 years, Michael E. Murphy, her siblings Kathleen O’Connor (Anthony Cerini) of Granby, Sheila O’Connor Miehm (Timothy) of Longmeadow, and Terry O’Connor (Wendy) of Holyoke. She also leaves her aunts Sr. Patricia Thomas, SSJ of Framingham and Nora McAndrew of Holyoke. In addition...

HOLYOKE Patricia (Kennedy) Dinn of Naples, FL and Holyoke, MA passed away on Friday, January 17, 2020 surrounded by family in Naples.  Pat was born in Holyoke on April 25, 1937 to Edward and Mildred (Lynch) Kennedy.  She was a proud graduate of Holyoke High School Class of 1955.  Following graduation Pat was employed as a supervisor by New England Telephone Company before dedicating her life to her family.  She married Charles W. “Bill” Dinn on October 14,...

HOLYOKE Barbara E. (Savard) Lavallee, age 85, of Holyoke, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at Care One at Redstone in East Longmeadow. She was born in Chicopee, a daughter of the late Hector A. and Irene L. (Mercier) Savard, and was educated in Holyoke schools. Barbara worked at Springfield Photomount in Holyoke for 46 years, retiring in 1992. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Barbara is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years, Donald O. Lavallee; one...

AGAWAM Christine Smith, age 55, of Agawam, died Wednesday January 15, 2020 at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield. Christine was born in Holyoke, daughter of Hannibal T. Smith, Jr. and the late Carolyn P. (Allen) Choiniere. She was a graduate of Chicopee Comp High School and went on to receive her Associate’s Degree. Christine worked in Aerospace Tool Design for Pratt and Whitney. She enjoyed the beach and boats and cared for animals as a hospice foster mom. Christine was predeceased...

Cathleen Alice (Domingue) Dion Jones, age 72, died peacefully at home with her loving family by her side on Tuesday January 14, 2020. Cathleen was born in Holyoke, daughter of the late Carl J. and Roberta L. (Rehbein) Domingue, and was a 1965 graduate of Holyoke High School. She had a long career in the Shipping & Receiving Warehouse department of Spaulding Corporation in Chicopee, retiring in 2012. Cathy was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Holyoke. Besides her parents, Cathy...

Gerald Thomas Greaney, “Gerry” or “Butch,” age 85, native of Holyoke, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2020 at his home in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He was born on February 17, 1934, son of the late James and Bridget (Curran) Greaney. Gerry was a proud graduate of St. Jerome High School, Cushing Academy, College of the Holy Cross, and Westfield State College. He was a longtime educator, a teacher and principal in the South Hadley Public School System. Gerry later...

HOLYOKE William J. Dean Jr., MD, FAAFP, Holyoke native, son of the late William J. Dean Sr. and Mary Fitzsimmons Dean, and beloved husband of Jean (Chapdelaine) Dean passed away peacefully at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke on Thursday, January 9, 2020. Dr. Bill Dean, a Holyoke native, was born on May 7, 1933.  He attended Holyoke Public Schools graduating from Holyoke High School in 1951 where he received varsity letters in soccer, basketball and track.  During high school,...

HOLYOKE   Janina Elzbieta Irzyk, age 80, of Holyoke, passed away peacefully Wednesday January 8, 2020 at Willimansett Center East Nursing Home. Janina was born in Eastern Poland, daughter of the late Jakub and Jadwiga (Dabrowska) Gwozdz, and was raised in Malbork, Poland. She worked at a local Post Office in Poland before emigrating to the United States. She worked for over 40 years as a Book Binder at National Blank Book Company/Avery Dennison in Holyoke, retiring in 2010, and was a...

HOLYOKE John D. Robidoux, age 84, of Holyoke, passed away on Friday, January 17, 2020, at Holyoke Health Care Center. He was born in Chicopee, son of the late John M. and Evelyn (St. George) Robidoux, and was a graduate of Chicopee High School. John was a United States Army Veteran, serving from 1957 to 1959. He was employed as a machinist for many years at Smith & Wesson in Springfield, retiring in 1997. He lived for many years in South Hadley and Warren, before moving to Holyoke five...

HOLYOKE Michael James Lavelle, age 73, died peacefully with his loving family by his side on Monday January 6, 2020 at Baystate Medical Center. Michael was born in Holyoke, son of the late Philip and Beatrice (Monaghan) Lavelle, of County Mayo, Ireland, and was a 1965 graduate of Holyoke Catholic High School.  Mike was drafted in 1968 by the United States Army and served with the 11th Brigade of the Americal Division in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. He served as a P.O.W. Field...