Doris Margaret (Desprey) Counter Villa

Doris Margaret (Desprey) Counter Villa, age 95, passed away peacefully November 26, 2025 with her loving family by her side. Doris was born in the Bronx, New York daughter of the late Peter and Corinne (Parent) Desprey. Doris worked for many years at National Blank Book/Avery Dennison. She is best known for her amazing voice. She started in the Immaculate Conception Choir at the age of 16 and continued to sing with that choir for 60 years, and was known for her solo “O, Holy Night” at midnight Mass. Doris also sang in the Nights of Harmony and the Rosary Minstrel Show, which would raise money for both the IC church and school, and Holy Rosary church and school. She also was a soloist in the George Burns Chorale in front of packed crowds and venues as well as an original member of The Townhouse Singers, which eventually became the Dan Kane Singers.

Doris was predeceased by her husbands: Joseph C. Counter and George A. Villa. She is also predeceased by her sister Laura Desprey and brother Peter Desprey.

Doris is survived by her children: Kathleen (Counter) McDonough (Donald), Michael P. Counter (Erin), Patricia (Counter) Griffin (Donald), and Laura (Counter) Auseth (Timothy); grandchildren: Jennifer (Counter) Smith, Gina (Gacona) Buoniconti, Anthony Gacona, and Cayden Counter; great-grandchildren: Liam Smith, Coleton Smith, Guineviere Smith, and Samantha Buoniconti; a sister Joan Slattery (Joseph) and brother Richard T. Desprey, Sr. (Judy) and several nephews.

A prayer service will be held Friday, December 5 at 12:30 p.m. in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke, followed by burial in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, at 2:00pm. Calling hours are Friday from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Flowers or a memorial contribution to the Dakin Animal Shelter in Springfield will be appreciated.

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