Mary B (Pavel) Lafreniere

Mary B. (Pavel) Lafreniere, 83, a longtime resident of Westfield passed away on July 2, 2024 in Baystate Medical Center. She passed peacefully with loved ones by her side, after fighting to recover from a sudden illness. She was born to the late Erich and Bernhardine (Reissmeier) Pavel on April 28, 1941 in West Stewartstown, N.H. She was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School. After becoming a wife and mother she worked for Digital and All for A dollar, before unselfishly donating the next 30 plus years of her life to become a home healthcare provider for mentally and physically challenged adults. Bernie, as she was affectionally known to those who knew her, loved nothing more than spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an avid candlepin bowler for many years, and also enjoyed playing Bingo with her friend Elizabeth Bloomberg, who was a family friend for many wonderful years. Bernie had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh, but her greatest quality was perhaps her unselfishness. She would do everything she could to try to help someone in need, including opening the doors to her house for friends and loved ones, who needed somewhere to stay, and even a complete stranger. She leaves behind her husband of 65 years, Gilbert F. Lafreniere, her children Gilbert J. Lafreniere and his wife Jackie of Westfield, Cheryl Drapeau of Westfield, and Christopher Lafreniere and his wife Laurie of Suffield, CT, with their children Daniel, David, and Derik. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Paul Drapeau and his wife Heather with their children Christopher, Jonathan and Alexander of Westfield; Gilbert F.B. Lafreniere and his wife Christina with their children Isabella and Jacob of Westfield; Victoria Woodburn and her son Gavyn of Westfield. She also leaves a daughter in law, Birgit Lafreniere of Westfield. Additionally, she leaves her best friend throughout her entire life, whom she met in elementary school, Rita Galvin with her husband Ron of Westfield. Mary also leaves numerous brother and sister in laws, and countless nieces and nephews, friends, and loved ones. In heaven, Bernie joins her mother and father, her brother Erich Pavel and his wife Theresa, her brother Henry “Herbie” Pavel and his wife Joan, her sister in law Antoinette “Toni” Castro, her sister in law Joanne Lafreniere, and her good friend Elizabeth Bloomberg. Calling hours will be held on Sunday July 7th from 1-3 pm at Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield. The funeral will be held on Monday July 8th at 9:30 am from the funeral home, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 am in St. Mary’s Church, 30 Bartlett Street, Westfield. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

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