CHICOPEE – Rita G. (Banville) Michaud, 81, of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. She passed into Eternal Life at the Chicopee Rehabilitation and Nursing Center surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Baker Lake, New Brunswick, Canada on May 22, 1944, a beloved daughter of the late Thaddée and Irma (Collin) Banville. She was raised and educated in Canada, then moved to Holyoke in 1961, and settled in Chicopee where she lived the remainder of her life. She was employed as a housekeeper for many years in the surrounding area. She was a communicant of the former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church and currently was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church, both in Chicopee. Rita enjoyed her evenings out line-dancing. Most of all, she was a proud Mémère who loved her family and her many friends. She was predeceased by her beloved husband and soul mate, Albert Michaud. They were married on October 28, 1961 in Canada and they were blessed with over 54 years of happiness together. She leaves her three loving and devoted children, Michael J. Michaud of Old Saybrook, CT, Linda M. Roberts and her husband, Arthur, of Chicopee, and Brenda L. O’Connor and her husband, Brian, of Granby; her five cherished grandchildren, Carly Michaud, Kyle Roberts, Daniel Roberts and his wife, Miranda, Andrew O’Connor, and Audrey O’Connor; her two cherished great-grandchildren, Bridget Roberts-Barry and Jackson Roberts; her five dear siblings, Ronald Banville and his wife, Nicole, of Granby, Gerald Banville and his wife, Lucie, of Chicopee, Robert Banville and his wife, Rita, of Chicopee, Claudette Boulay and her husband, Guy, of Magog, P.Q., Canada, and France Banville of Sainte Catherine, P.Q., Canada; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended family members in the United States and Canada. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her daughter-in-law, Carolyn M. (Sears) Michaud who was Called Home on August 17, 2023; her brothers, Reginald Banville and his wife, Joan and Clarence Banville and his wife, Carol; and her sister, Marie-Mai Bard and her husband, Edgar. Her Funeral will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 594 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her burial will follow the Mass at Sainte Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before the Mass. The parking lot and main entrance of the funeral home are located in the rear at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Memorial donations may be made in Rita’s memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or to Harmony House, Inc., 66 View Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
