Caroline M (Chistolini) Blair

Caroline Mary (Chistolini) Blair, 89, passed away peacefully at Baystate Medical Center, surrounded by family on June 17, 2025. The first of her siblings born in the USA, she was the daughter of the late John and Sylvia Chistolini, who immigrated from Italy to Westfield, Massachusetts, where Caroline was born on October 7, 1935. Often called “Lee” by friends, she attended Westfield Public Schools and Westfield State University, where she graduated with honors and ultimately received her master’s degree in early childhood education. Soon after beginning her career as an elementary school teacher, she met her sweetheart, Ernest Henry Blair, and they wed on August 9, 1958. Lee and Ernie started a beautiful family the following year with their daughter, Deborah, who predeceased Caroline in 2022. Both parents were also predeceased by their firstborn son, John, in 1960. Their youngest son, James, completed their family in 1962. A long-time parishioner of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Caroline was among the kindest souls anyone could meet, commended for her warm and generous spirit. She touched many lives as a teacher, mother-figure, aunt, and friend to people of all ages and backgrounds. You would be hard-pressed to find a former student who doesn’t remember her as their favorite teacher of all time. When she retired in 1997, students, staff, and parents at Blandford Elementary filled the auditorium with Teddy Bears to honor her. She was beloved throughout her career, which spanned 40 years, mostly in the Gateway System. She loved bears, birds, and books, but Lee’s greatest joys came from celebrating the various milestones and achievements of her family. She won the “#1 Fan” Award when watching her grandchildren’s sporting events, as she was extremely enthusiastic when cheering for the teams. In her retirement, she relished learning more about the Bible by auditing classes at her Alma Mater, taught by her friend and confidant, Chaplain Fr. Savage. Caroline is survived by her son, Jim, and his wife, Pam, of Westfield, as well as their sons and their families. Lee’s oldest grandson Michael and his wife Lauren, of Southwick, honored “Grammy” by naming their firstborn child after her, so our dearly departed Caroline lives on in young Caroline and her little brother, Benjamin. Her youngest grandson Joshua and his wife Megan of Marlboro, NY, also ensured that their four daughters knew their great-grandmother’s genuine spirit through frequent video calls and family gatherings. Evelyn, Reese, Grace, and Sophie will be forever impacted by the love she shared. Caroline also leaves behind her granddaughter Christina of Westfield, who cared for her Grammy in the last several years so that she could remain in her cherished Westfield home. Caroline helped to raise Christina and her daughter Kaela Brazee of Misawa, Japan, who is Lee’s oldest great-grandchild, and the youngest of three generations to grow up in the home. Caroline lost her beloved husband, “Ern,” in 2015, and she was also predeceased by her sisters, Christina Pirola of Westfield in 2006 and Anna Zumbruski of West Springfield in 2011. Their brother, John “Bert” Chistolini, of Westfield, is the last surviving sibling of the Chistolini clan. Caroline was affectionately called Zizi Lee by many of her nieces and nephews, and she was Auntie Lee to the rest of them. For many years, her Italian cookies were the focus of every family gathering, kneaded with love. There are dozens of beloved family members and friends whose lives will never be the same now that Lee has gone to Heaven, but honorable mention goes to niece Suzanne Harlow and her family of Westfield, a big part of the home-care team for the last several years. Her special friend, Patty Byrnes, of Westfield, visited frequently and took her “Dear Sweet Lee” to most of her medical appointments. Donna McEwan and Colleen Favreau, both of Westfield, were also loyal supporters. Special Thanks goes to the Overlook Visiting Nurse Association, which provided integral support since 2024. Calling Hours will be held on Friday, June 27, from 4:00 – 7:00PM at the Firtion Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield. The funeral will begin at 9:00AM on Saturday, June 28, at Firtion Adams, followed by a 10:00 Mass at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 127 Holyoke Road, Westfield, with a traditional Catholic burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery thereafter. Lee fought cancer twice and won, so in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, lls.org, or to the Overlook VNA at www.overlook-mass.org/support-overlook/. firtionadams.com

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