Hudson, MA
Debra J. (Jokinen) Chaves, 64, of Hudson, died Friday May 6th at UMass Memorial Medical Center, University Campus in Worcester. She is survived by her husband of 42 years, John A. Chaves of Hudson.
Debra was born in Concord, daughter of the late Toivo and Viola (Jones) Jokinen. She was raised in Stow where she attended local schools and was a 1969 graduate of Nashoba Regional High School. She was a longtime resident of Hudson and was employed as a secretary at the Quinn Middle School in Hudson. She was a member of Saint Michael’s Parish in Hudson.
Debra enjoyed traveling and always looked forward to the many vacations she shared with her husband John in Bermuda. She truly cherished an extended vacation with the family on the Outer Banks in North Carolina recently. Most of all she loved being surrounded by her family, especially spending time with her four loving grandchildren. Her warm smile and loving spirit will always be remembered by all who loved and knew her.
She is survived by her children, Christopher Chaves and his longtime companion Donna Nadeau-Dacey of Mendon, Jennifer Chaves and her longtime companion Adam Klatsky of Hudson and Jeffrey Chaves and his wife Tracey of Hudson. She is also survived by her sisters Beverly Flint and her husband Richard of New Jersey, Jean Jokinen of Hudson; her brother Jack Jokinen of Stow; her four grandchildren, John Dacey, Cooper Chaves, Katelyn Chaves, Jackson Chaves and her many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Mary Lawrence.
A funeral service and celebration of Debra’s life will be held on Saturday May 14th at 9:00 a.m. in the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, Inc. 50 Central Street, Hudson, MA 01749. Burial will follow in Forestvale Cemetery, Hudson. Calling hours will be held on Friday May 13th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Debra may be made to: American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.