Kathleen E. Lafleur, 74, of Florence, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, surrounded by her loving family. Born on July 7, 1951, in Holyoke, MA, she was the only child of the late Edward J. and June E. (Murray) Loftus. Kathleen was educated in the Holyoke Public Schools, graduating from Holyoke High School in 1969. She went on to earn an Associate Degree in Secretarial Science from Holyoke Community College. Throughout her career, she worked as an administrative professional for several companies in the Pioneer Valley, most notably with Marken Properties and Appleton Corporation, where she served as Property Manager at Michael’s House in Northampton. Kathy enjoyed knitting and baking in her spare time, often giving home made quilts as gifts to friends for special occasions. Her greatest joy came from her family, and she loved sharing stories about them with friends. She cherished family vacations to Disney World, Hershey Park, Gatlinburg, TN, and Jiminy Peak in the Berkshires. A devoted Hockey Mom, she often served as Team Manager for her sons’ teams and was the unofficial team baker for the Sacred Heart University Men’s Hockey Team, helping make road trips more enjoyable. Later in life, she became a proud Dance Grandmother, assisting with costume sewing and attending countless performances and recitals for her granddaughters.

Deeply involved in her community, Kathy served as Secretary for the Northampton Skating Association, Nonotuck Valley Hockey Association, and the Greater Springfield League (GSL). She also worked at numerous Massachusetts Hockey State Tournaments at the Olympia Ice Center and served as Timekeeper Coordinator for the GSL, helping many young people land their first jobs at the rink. She volunteered as a Den Mom for Cub Scouts Pack 806 in Florence and was actively involved in her parish, Holy Name of Jesus Church in South Deerfield, MA, where she participated in the Adoration Society, Parish Committee, helping with many dinners and Food Sales, and volunteered to make pierogies up until her recent passing. Kathy had made her home in the Florence section of Northampton since 1972. She is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Conrad L. “Buddy” Lafleur; her two sons, Edward J. “EJ” Lafleur and his wife Anne of South Hadley, and Andrew L. “Andy” Lafleur of Northampton; her two cherished granddaughters, Kami J. and Sophia E. Lafleur of South Hadley; two aunts, Barbara Osgood and her husband John of Hadley, and Betty Ann Kadlewicz and her husband David of Augusta, GA; as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A prayer service will be held on Saturday September 6 at 11:30am in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke. Burial will be held at a later date. Visitation in the funeral home will be from 9:00am to 11:30am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Kathleen’s memory be made to: Shriners Hospitals for Children The Epilepsy Foundation of New England Boston Children’s Hospital