CHICOPEE – Charlene A. “Cherie” (Caouette) Bordeau, 57, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday April 15, 2014. She passed into Eternal Life at her home. She was born in Holyoke on October 23, 1956, a beloved daughter of the late Charles E. and Edna (Bushey) Caouette. She was raised in the Willimansett section of Chicopee and was a lifelong resident of the city. She graduated from the former Mount Carmel Elementary School in Chicopee and, in 1974, graduated from Holyoke Catholic High School. She then attended Holyoke Community College and received an Associate’s Degree in Medical Transcription and Terminology and later received a second degree as a Certified Nurse Assistant. She was employed as a Certified Nurse Assistant at the former Riverdale Gardens Nursing Home in West Springfield and had last worked at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Cherie’s passion was horseback riding. She was an instructor and taught different riding techniques at the Arrow C Stables in Palmer. She grew up spending summers and vacations volunteering at King Oak Farm in Southampton. Cherie was a longtime contributor to Toys for Tots and Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen. She became active in the USO during Vietnam to the present and she recently received an American Flag from the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington for her many years of faithful contributions. She was a longtime faithful communicant of the former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Willimansett and volunteered her time and talent to her parish for many years. She was a Eucharistic Minister and served for many years with her son, Bryan, who was an Altar Server. She also served in numerous committees for the parish including bingo where she was a popular bingo caller for many years. She was also a receptionist at the church rectory and for her many years of devoted service was named Parishioner of the Year in 1998. She leaves her beloved husband and best friend, Gary A. Bordeau. They were married on April 30, 1976 at the former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Willimansett and were blessed with nearly 38 years of happiness together. She also leaves her loving children, Bryan A. Bordeau and his wife, Erin, of North Billerica, and Danielle C. Bordeau of Chicopee; her two cherished grandchildren, Nyah and Gryffin Bordeau; her loving sisters, Elaine A. Malboeuf and her husband, Roland, of Agawam, and Denise M. Paul and her husband, Thomas, of Chicopee; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended members of the Bordeau and Caouette families. Her relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Thursday morning, April 24, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. which will be followed by a Prayer Service at 11 a.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her burial will follow the service at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her family has requested that in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
