CHICOPEE ~ Sheila I. (Bass) Lavigne, 75, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, May 31, 2018. She passed into Eternal Life at home surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Terrington St. Clement, Norfolk, England on April 21, 1943. She was raised and schooled in Terrington St. Clement and moved to Chicopee in 1964. She worked at several local Big Y Supermarkets, Chateau Provost in Chicopee, Schermerhorn’s Fish Market in West Springfield and retired from the South Hadley Big Y. An avid golfer, she enjoyed golfing at many area golf courses and had been a longtime member of Southampton Country Club where she was proud of her hole-in-one. She also was a member of the British Wives Club where she made many British friends locally. She enjoyed cooking and took great joy in sharing her home with family and friends. Above all, Sheila was a loving wife, mother and nana who showered her family with her love and affection that was returned to her a thousand fold. She leaves her beloved husband and best friend, Robert J. “Bob” Lavigne. They were married on February 5, 1966 at Saint Christopher Episcopal Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 52 years of happiness together. She also leaves her loving daughter, Kimberley L. Whitehead of Chicopee; her dear son-in-law, Michael Whitehead of Chicopee; her loving son, David R. Lavigne and his wife, Karen, of Pompano Beach, FL; her two cherished grandchildren whom she adored, Ryan and Haley Whitehead; her dear sister-in-law, Lorraine Lavigne of Chicopee; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Lavigne and Bass families. In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her three dear sisters, Janet, Hazel “June” and Maureen; and her dear brother, Ted. Family and friends are invited to attend a Prayer Service on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 10 a.m.). Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot is located at the rear of the funeral home. For those who prefer, her family requests that memorial donations be made in her memory to Baystate Visiting Nurse and Hospice, Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
