Marion Fernandes McCormick, age 96, of Holyoke, passed away on April 17, 2026 at Mary’s Meadow at Providence Place in the tender care of a family of caregivers who provided comfort and support to Marion and her family. Marion was born in Acushnet, MA on March 23, 1930 to Francisco Soares Fernandes and Maria Duarte Fernandes, both of Portugal. She grew up on the family farm in South Hadley and was a proud graduate and Salutatorian of the Class of 1948 of South Hadley High School and Holyoke Community College. Following her marriage to Stephen F. McCormick, Jr. in 1956, Marion made her home in Holyoke, raising her family in the Paper City where she was a faithful parishioner of Sacred Heart/Our Lady of Guadalupe and then St. Jerome Parishes. In her later years, she also enjoyed attending Sunday Mass at Jericho and at the Chapel at Mary’s Meadow. Marion provided her children with a great example of a solid work ethic. She enjoyed her work as a legal secretary until an injury forced her “early” retirement at the age of 84. She thoroughly enjoyed the company of her bosses, co-workers and clients at Labrie, Pouliot, LaRocque & Guiel in Chicopee, MA, who never seemed to mind that she was consistently ten minutes late to work every day. Marion also created her own tradition of fabulous St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, which always included her legendary corned beef sandwiches following the Annual Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade. A life-long Democrat and avid voter, she enjoyed politics and never missed an opportunity to meet and greet all the politicians marching in the parade.

Marion was predeceased by her husband, Stephen F. McCormick, Jr., her sister, Maria Alves, and her husband John; her brothers Antonio Fernandes, Manuel S. Fernandes and his wife Florence, Alfred Fernandes and his wife Thelda, Ceasar Fernandes and his wife, Bernadette, her sister-in-law Jean Fernandes, her brothers-in law, Andrew D. McCormick and his wife Irma, James M. McCormick and his wife Winnie, and her sister-in-law, Sheila (McCormick) Arsenault and her husband James. She was also predeceased by two great friends who she considered family, Herbie and Rita Rosenberg. Marion is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Stephen Mulvaney of South Hadley, her son, Mark S. McCormick of Hamilton, NY, and her daughter, Sheila McCormick of Fiskdale, MA. She also leaves six cherished grandchildren, Matthew Mulvaney (Elena), Kathleen Mulvaney, Andrew Mulvaney, Kendra McCormick (Matthew Golojuch), Kayleigh Jackson (Keith), and Ryan Samuel Giblin, along with four great grandchildren, Sofía, Eloise, Eliza, and Lucas. Marion leaves her loving brothers, James Fernandes of South Hadley, MA, Joseph Fernandes and his wife, Marie, of South Hadley, MA and Virgil S. Fernandes, and his wife Lola, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, a sister-in-law, Florence Fernandes, of South Hadley, MA, and many loving nieces and nephews. She also leaves her “village” of good friends, especially Diane Morgan, Rosalie Hobert, Aaron Wilson, Nelson Yelle, Rhea Sauve, Donna Crosietere, and Lil and Bill Dunn. Marion’s children would like to thank the staff at Mary’s Meadow for the exceptional care, kindness and compassion provided to their mother during her residency there.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, April 22 from 8:30-10:00 am at Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home in Holyoke. The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am at St. Jerome Church at 169 Hampden Street in Holyoke, with burial to follow at St. Jerome Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Marion’s memory to St. Jerome Church (Holyoke), Sisters of St. Joseph, or the Sisters of Providence.