SOUTH HADLEY – Janet A. (Aubuchon) Chagnon, 87, of South Hadley was called safely home on Sunday, February 1, 2026. She passed gently into Eternal Life at her home while surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. Born in Holyoke on November 11, 1938, Janet was the beloved daughter of the late Alfred and Irene (Roy) Aubuchon. Raised in Holyoke, Janet attended Precious Blood School through 10th grade and graduated from Holyoke High School in 1957. Following her passion for helping others, she graduated as a Registered Nurse from the Providence School of Nursing in 1960. Janet dedicated 27 years of her life to Providence Hospital, while spending more than 10 of those years in the Emergency Room, where she successfully earned her Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) credentials. In 1986, she transitioned to private practice, working alongside Dr. William Mugg in South Hadley for 20 years. A resident of Chicopee for 50 years before moving to South Hadley in 2018, Janet was a former communicant at Saint Patrick Church in South Hadley Falls. With a unique ability to master anything she set her mind to, Janet was a gifted woman who found joy in sewing, knitting and baking for her family and friends. Above all, her grandchildren – whom she affectionately called her “kids” – were the loves of her life. She cherished every moment spent with them, and they brought her immeasurable joy. Janet’s care and compassion touched countless people throughout her community, but she will be especially missed by those who knew her as a close friend. Following the tremendous pain of losing her dear husband of 61 years, Janet was blessed to be reunited with a special friend from her youth, Robert “Bob” Thibault. Bob was a devoted companion who cared deeply for Janet and brought a renewed sense of happiness and joy to the final years of her life. She leaves her beloved daughter, Keri Donze and her husband, Joseph, of South Hadley, and her three grandchildren, Tayler, Jillian, and Nathan Donze, all of Boston. She is also survived by her granddaughter, Suzette Thompson and her husband, Luke, and their sons, Paul and Silas, all of Surprise, AZ; her sister, June Aubuchon of Brunswick, GA; her brother, Gerald Aubuchon and his wife, Maryann, of Chicopee; and many dear extended family members and friends. In addition to her parents, Janet is reunited in heaven with her dear husband Robert “Shaggy” Chagnon who was Called Home on March 22, 2022; her son, Mark; her daughter, Kristi; her sisters, Gladys Nartowicz and Joyce Cummings; and her brother, Leon Aubuchon. Her funeral will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Saint Patrick Church, 30 Main Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. Her Committal Service will follow the Mass at 1 p.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, February 9, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to the Mass. The funeral home parking lot is located in the rear. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
