Eleanor I. (Racine) Leach

Eleanor I. (Racine) Leach, age 89, passed away peacefully at home on September 3, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Eleanor was born in Holyoke, daughter of the late Roger and Germaine (Roy) Racine. She worked as an insurance clerk, and certified nursing assistant, but mainly cared for her family. She was always taking care of someone in need. Eleanor was a communicant of Our Lady of the Cross Parish where she provided communion for the sick, and also attended Blessed Sacrament Church. Besides loving to help others, Eleanor loved to dance.

She was predeceased by her husband, Nathaniel Leach. She is survived by two daughters: Gail Cranshaw (Arthur) of Holyoke and Suzanne Sullivan (William) of Easthampton; 6 grandchildren: Nicholas Cranshaw and Michael Cranshaw, both of Holyoke, Ashley (Kevin) May of Westfield, Christine (Will) Noel of Quincy, William (Marquie) Sullivan II of Belchertown, and Patricia Killeen of Greenfield, and many great grandchildren. She also leaves behind her siblings Earl Racine, Donald Bernash (Claire), Darlene Page (Richard), Ronald Bernash (Eileen) and Wayne Bernash, and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents and husband, Eleanor was predeceased by her sons David, James, and Michael Brown, granddaughter Sarah M. Brown, a sister Joan Legrand and brother Norman Racine.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday September 17 with a service in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke, at 9:45am. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, South Hadley. Calling hours are Tuesday September 16 from 5:00 to 7:00pm in the funeral home.

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