Obituary of Sylvia L. Paquette
Nine days short of her 100th birthday, Sylvia passed peacefully, surrounded by her family. She was born on November 26, 1923 to Amelia (Pelletier) Mason and Frank Mason. She graduated from St. George Grammar School in Chicopee and from Chicopee High School in 1941. Sylvia held several secretarial positions including Aldenville Credit Union, Milton Bradley Co, US Naval Convalescent Hospital, San Francisco Port of Embarkation, Army Coding Base Florida, BF Perkins Chicopee and Westover Army Base Legal Office. In her final role she was an executive secretary at Mass Mutual, a position she held and loved until her retirement in 1986.
She was also past president of the American Legion Auxiliary Aldenville Unit 337. She was the past district director of American Legion Hampden District 3. She is a current member of Granby American Legion Auxiliary Unit 266. She also was an assistant tour director for the American Bosch Travel Club. Sylvia was a communicant of St. Rose de Lima Church in Aldenville.
She was predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years, Rene Paquette, who she will now join in eternal life. She was also pre-deceased by her parents, her brother Fran Mason, her sister Rose Therien, her brother-in-law Gerald Paquette and her son-in-law Raymond Burgess.
She will be missed by her two daughters, Sandra Burgess of South Hadley and Susan (Richard) Burgess of Chicopee. She will also be missed by her loving grandchildren Gregory (Rosemarie) Belisle of West Springfield, Jeffrey Belisle (fiance Sheila) of Pembroke, Angela Snow of South Hadley and Gina (Brian) Willette of South Hadley as well as her great grandchildren Benjamin & Isabel Belisle, Rhea Snow and Josh & Zack Willette. She will also be missed by her sister-in-law Diane Paquette of Springfield.
The family would like to extend special thanks for the loving care and compassion given to Sylvia by the staff at the Jewish Nursing Home and to Maddy and the Spectrum Hospice Team.
Memorial donations in Sylvia's name may be made to St. Joan of Arc/St. George School fund, 600 Grattan St, Chicopee MA 01020 or to Spectrum Hospice Care, 770 Converse St, Longmeadow, MA 01106.
Family and friends may gather at Beers and Story South Hadley Funeral Home on Tues. Nov. 28, 2023, for a time of visitation from 10:00-11:00am followed by a memorial service at 11:00am. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
