Christine M. Lubold (Blanchette), affectionately known as “Kissy” passed away November 18, 2024, surrounded by family at home in her beloved city of Holyoke. Kissy was born on Christmas Day in 1936 to Irene LeClaire and Leo Blanchette. She was the kid sister to brother Leo and sisters Barbara Roberts, Katherine Bliss, Phyllis Hamel, Jacqueline Roj, and Irene Stawarz. She then became a proud big sister to her younger brother Art.  Kissy and her siblings grew up in the flats section of Holyoke where she often remarked she had the greatest childhood a kid could ever have. In fact, it was there that Kissy met her best friend of 80-years, Dorothy “Dutchy” Redding. Dutchy and Kissy were inseparable ever since that day Dutchy playfully pushed Kissy in the bushes while walking home from school and they tried to not let the patrol leader see them fooling around. Kissy proudly graduated from Holyoke High School in 1954 and could still sing all the words to “Hail Holyoke High School.” She met the love of her life Kenneth H. Lubold while at HHS. Ken, who was a year behind Kissy in school, could not wait to take her as his bride and left school early to marry her in 1955. Together, Kissy and Ken built a 69-year life together filled with all the celebrations and challenges that come with marriage and raising a large and ever-growing family. There was never a family wedding or a party where they didn’t take the opportunity to dance cheek to cheek to “Little Things Mean A lot” by Kitty Kallen, their wedding song. Together, Kissy and Ken had six children – Paula Lubold, Janice (Keith) Humber, Richard (Maureen) Lubold, Kenneth who died at 3-days-old, Joseph Lubold, and Mark (Patty) Lubold.  She was active in her children’s lives, and was a dedicated dance and sports mom well before there was Facebook. She rarely missed a game or recital while balancing work at Ampad and Halmar. For over four decades Kissy was a dedicated fan of the HHS Purple Knights, holding football yard markers in blizzard conditions, cheering on her children and then their children, and their children’s children across multiple sports. Her 10 grandchildren, Beth, Joel, Donnell, Marcus, Andrea, Robert, Kayla, Joseph, Finn, and Dylan will always remember Grandma’s hugs and unconditional encouragement. Her generosity and love were always evident in the patient way she played hand after hand of Go-Fish, hosted sleepovers, constructed the perfect Easter baskets, doled out Halloween “big bars”, and delivered personal Santa bags across town to see her grandchildren smile. Kissy’s great grandchildren who called her GiGi, Brynley, Brayden, Danielle, Sophia, Emmalyn, and Briella, filled her heart with love. Even the youngest among them were already getting to know how to access her legendary snack drawer with “Geronimo” cookies and hostess cakes. Kissy also leaves her dear cousins Roberta and Neshan Daglian of South Hadley, and a lifetime of precious friends in Holyoke and Florida as well as so many nieces and nephews who brought her joy. Kissy absolutely treasured getting together at family picnics, having company visit, and watching the Red Sox on television. A devoted fan of the legendary Big Papi and announcers Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy, Kissy could name every player and talk all-things sox no matter the year like a pro.

Beyond her love for family and friends, Kissy was a woman of great faith and a communicant of Saint Jerome’s Catholic Church. When asked how she wanted to be remembered by those she loved, she simply said, “a good person. ”Kissy’s favorite song “Let There Be Peace on Earth” is perhaps the biggest testament to her life and personal character and she would sing it with vigor whenever it played. “Let peace begin with me…With God as our Father, family all are we. Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.” If you happen to hear it this season, sing it a little louder for Kissy. Her family will miss her deeply. The funeral will be held Monday, November 25th at 9:00 a.m. from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Saint Jerome Church, 169 Hampden Street. Burial will follow at Saint Jerome Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Sunday, November 24th from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Lubolds are especially grateful for the compassionate and dignified care Kissy received in the final days of her illness from the entire team at Beacon Hospice Care. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Jericho, The Bureau for Exceptional Children and Adults, P.O. Box 1039, Holyoke, Ma, 01041-1039.