Elaine J. (Parenzo) Lees

Elaine (Parenzo) Lees, 82, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2025 at Holyoke Medical Center.  She was born in Westfield, MA to the late James and Lillian (Niedzwiecki) Parenzo.  She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bob Lees and is predeceased, in July 2021 by her youngest child, Cynthia (Cindy) Lees.  Her eldest, Pam and husband Jim Hill, live in Enfield, CT; Jim’s daughter, Sarah Reilly and her five children, in Springfield. Elaine was a graduate of Westfield High, started working as a hairdresser, but her deep love for education sent her to Westfield State College when her children were young.  She graduated with a bachelors in education then returned to Westfield State to complete a master’s degree.  She found herself at school again at age 65 when she went to the College of Our Lady of Elms to complete a CAGS (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study), another level above her masters. She was a true champion for higher education and was proud of her lineage.  Her father’s brother, Anthony Parenzo, was a MA State Representative who was instrumental in the development of Westfield State College. Parenzo Hall is part of her home town’s past and it appears, its future. Elaine worked and retired from Westfield Public Schools, taught at the elementary level: special needs children, fifth grade, reading and a few years before her retirement, her true love, art.  She was a fiercely loving mother and dedicated spouse. She and Bob taught their girls about loyalty, the value and rewards of hard work, perseverance and self-sufficiency.  As a parental team, they gave Pam and Cindy a stable home, freedom to explore their musical talents and fostered a love of education, beaches, travel, animals and a never-ending curiosity for life.  Elaine never missed any of the girls’ many concerts both high school and college. The family enjoyed many trips: to beaches throughout New England including dining at Captain Jacks in Rhode Island.  She and Bob went to Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and spent many days at the Pleasant View Inn in Misquamicut, RI.  Elaine and “her girls” travelled to Italy, Key West and took many more trips to the Pleasant View Inn.  She took them to their very first concert, the original Chicago, and then went to many more with Pam for Elaine’s own favorites, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner and ZZ Top. Elaine was a dedicated catholic parishioner at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church.  She loved teaching art at the Westfield Senior Center and her knitting group at the Grace Lutheran Church in West Springfield.  She was especially involved with local pet shelters and the homeless Westfield High School student programs. Her funeral will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 10:30AM from the Firtion Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad St. Westfield, followed by a Mass at 11:30AM in Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 127 Holyoke Rd. Westfield. Burial will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Main St. Agawam. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025 from 4-7PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Elaine’s name may be directed to the Westfield Regional Animal Shelter, 178 Apremont Way, Westfield, MA 01085 or the American Heart Association (www.heart.org). www.firtionadams.com

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