Carol Fitzgerald Voyik, 74, of Chicopee, passed away on January 11th at Holyoke Medical Center after a brief illness. She leaves her husband of nearly fifty years, Ronald Voyik, daughter Erin Voyik, “favorite” son-in-law Jason Roy, and beloved granddaughter Maeve Roy; several close cousins, Lynn Lak, Joan MacIver, Amy Dressel, and her goddaughter April Cimorelli; and a large circle of extended family and friends. She was born in Holyoke to the late Marion (Caulfield) Fitzgerald and Edward T. Fitzgerald, educated there and in Chicopee, and worked for a Springfield business for many years. 

She loved spending time at the beach, especially in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, where she vacationed for nearly her entire life, sharing summers with multiple generations of family and neighbors who became close friends. A terrific cook, she always made multiples of what was needed for any party or gathering. She was a ferociously hard worker with high standards for herself and others. She was also determined, capable, and decisive - basically a force of nature - and she balanced those strengths with an incisive sense of humor and infallible generosity.  Nothing made her happier than an opportunity to make someone’s life a little (or a lot) better. She built a life full of great stories, travel (always beginning before dawn, much to the lament of her family), laughter, fun, and M&Ms (a love she shared with her granddaughter). She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends. 

Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 23rd from 4-6 pm, followed by a memorial service at the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton St., in Holyoke, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts.