Obituary of Laurina H. Brighenti

Laurina H. (Gibbs) Brighenti, 89, passed away on July 26, 2023 after an extended illness, during which time she received loving care from her family.
She was born on December 21, 1933 in Athol, MA to Robert and Beatrice Gibbs. Laurina was predeceased by her beloved husband of 62 years, Albert, as well as by her daughter, Nancy Kwiatkowski, and sister Regina Canning.
Laurina was raised in Athol, MA, graduated from Athol High School in 1951, and worked as a telephone operator before marrying her close neighbor, Albert, in 1952. Laurina and Albert moved to Belchertown in 1958 where they raised their children and were active members of their community and St. Francis Parish.
Laurina and Albert raised blueberries, chrysanthemums and evergreens at their home, serving local farm stands, and together owned a quality fly-tying material business that supplied anglers worldwide. She worked at home for Universal Vice for many years.  She enjoyed spending time with family and friends camping on the Battenkill River in Arlington, VT. 
Hosting large Sunday family dinners with extended family was a great joy to her, and guests to her home would always find a homemade baked good on her counter. After caring for her husband in his later years, she became an active member of the Belchertown Senior Center, where she reconnected with friends, made new ones, and enjoyed her time with the “Lunch Bunch”. Laurina was known for being a sharp dresser and a shrewd rummy card player. 
Laurina will be dearly missed by her devoted family; son Albert Brighenti and his wife Susan, daughter Marie Budness and her husband James all of Belchertown. MA, and daughter Susan Reynolds and her husband Scott of Concord, NH, as well as her son-in-law Paul Kwiatkowski. She also leaves behind her dear grandchildren, Matthew Kwiatkowski, Anthony and Morgan Brighenti, Lauren and Marcley Duarte, Michael and Suzie Budness, Catherine, Alex, and Nicholas Reynolds, and great-grandchildren Brayden, Alexa and Caleb Duarte and Nolan Brighenti, all a delight to her.
She is also survived by her beloved brother Roy Gibbs and his wife Kathy, sister Linda Cole (Gary) along with many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Sunday, August 6, 2023 at Beers & Story Funeral Home in Belchertown. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Monday, August 7 at 9 am for a procession to St. Francis Church for a Funeral Mass at 10 am with burial immediately following at South Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Belchertown Senior Center at 60 State St. Belchertown, or the Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice at 168 Industrial Dr. Northampton.