JEFFERSON, MA – Loretta Marie Rolland, 76, formerly a resident of Springfield, passed away on Monday, April 23, 2018 at her residence. She was born in Springfield on June 27, 1941, a beloved daughter of the late Harvey E. and Julia A. (Papuga) Rolland. She was raised in Springfield, attended Hooker School, Chestnut Junior High School and the High School of Commerce, graduating in 1963. She was born with a mild form of cerebral palsy which became increasingly worse as she grew older. She was a member of the United Cerebral Palsy Organization for over 20 years. She lived with her mother until her mother’s passing in 1996 when Loretta was placed in a nursing home. In 1999, Loretta was the lead in a class action suit against the Cellucci State Government (Rolland vs. Cellucci) on behalf of herself and over 1700 other persons who are mentally competent but have physical disabilities which resulted in them being placed in nursing homes, in order to leave the nursing home and live on their own. She won the suit for herself and the other disabled persons but the case was continued in Federal Court under the American Disabilities Act. The decision of the court was far reaching, being accepted and implemented by other states, notably New York. At the final review of the case by the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts in Springfield on May 9, 2013, the court determined that Massachusetts was in compliance with the requirements of the initial decision. Loretta, who was present, was presented with an award from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts commending her for her perseverance in the case. Upon leaving the nursing home, Loretta moved into her own apartment in Northampton. After several years, she determined to be more socially active, so she decided to join a group home in Jefferson, MA, just outside of Worcester. Loretta is survived by her brother, Alfred Rolland of Springfield; her sister, Claire Harris of Chicopee; her nephew, Rodney Harris, Jr. and his wife, Debbie and two great-nephews and their wives. Her funeral will be held on Friday morning, April 27, 2018 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (funeral home will open at 9:15 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her burial will follow the Mass at Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, 800 Montgomery Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. Her family will receive friends on Friday morning, April 27, 2018 from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. before the Mass. The parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
