Lucy A. (DeDeurwaerder) Fournier

Lucy A. (DeDeurwaerder) Fournier, age 102, of Holyoke, MA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at Holyoke Medical Center, surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving and devoted family.

Lucy was born in the Smiths Ferry section of Holyoke on November 27, 1920, to the late Theresa (Nuyens) and Henry DeDeurwaerder. Her parents were born in Belgium and emigrated to Canada in 1914 and then to America in 1916, settling in Holyoke.

Lucy graduated from Holyoke High School in 1938 and attended Northampton Commercial College. She worked as a shipping clerk at The Whiting Paper Company and retired as a book binder from the former National Blank Book (Avery Dennison) in Holyoke. She was a communicant of St. Anne’s Church in Chicopee. She belonged to the Golden Agers and was a member of Club 15 at Avery Dennison.

Lucy was predeceased by her loving and sweet husband, Charles E. Fournier, Sr. Charlie and Lucy were married for 53 years before his death in 1998. She was also predeceased by her son, Charles E. Fournier, Jr. in 2010 and her daughter, Joanne Swanson, in 2011. Besides her parents, Lucy was also predeceased by her siblings: Alphonse, Julia, Charlie, Adolph, and Henry DeDeurwaerder, and Phyllis Renaud, and many in-laws and extended family members.

Lucy loved spending time with her family and really loved all things chocolate and would never pass up a dessert, even with a full belly. It was a running joke in the family that if Lucy finished her meal, she “could have dessert.”  She loved playing cards, BINGO, watching TV, reading Harlequin romances, going out to eat, and a good cup of hot coffee; and cleaning her house was always at the top of her list. On many Sundays, Lucy and Charlie enjoyed going to the races in Vermont and visiting with family to play cards. While at Mont Marie Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, where she lived the last 3 years, the staff would let Lucy fold small towels because she enjoyed helping and they loved seeing Lucy happy, busy and active.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Helen Fournier; her granddaughters, Michelle Libby (Greg) of Ludlow, and Nicholle Dwyer (Peter) of Braintree, and her cherished great-grandchildren, Evan and Natalie Libby and Charlie, Meridith and Laura Lewis, and several nieces, nephews and extended family. 

Lucy was extremely generous to her family and organizations and never hesitated to write a donation check or pay for dinner. She made friends wherever she went and while she often wondered, “I’m not sure what I am still doing here”, she enjoyed her time on this Earth. She will be missed.

Lucy’s family would like to thank the staff at Mont Marie for their kindness and care of Lucy; also, to the staff of the 3rd floor of the Holyoke Medical Center, for her end of life care. Your respect and compassion was sincerely appreciated.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday September 16 at 10:00am in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, followed by burial in Saint Jerome Cemetery. Visitation will take place Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30am in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke.

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