CHICOPEE – It is with deep sorrow that the family of Jeannette M. (Leclerc) Marceau, 89, a longtime resident of Chicopee Falls, announce her peaceful passing into eternal rest on Monday, February 9, 2026 while surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. Jeannette was born in Berlin, New Hampshire on May 5, 1936. She is the beloved daughter of the late Ronaldo Leclerc and Alvine (Poulin) Leclerc Maynard. Her parents and siblings moved to Chicopee Falls in 1943 where she attended St. George Elementary School. She furthered her education and graduated from the former Maria Assumpta Academy in Nicolet, P.Q., Canada.Then in 1954, Jeannette was sworn in by Judge Daniel Keyes as the secretary for the late Congressman Edward P. Boland. This distinguished secretarial role included attending the inauguration of the 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy on January 20, 1961. She later worked at the former Monarch Life Insurance in Springfield, MA. Spiritually, she lived her life dedicated to God, displaying a deep spiritual connection to the teachings of the Catholic Church. She was a dedicated communicant of the former St. George Church in Chicopee Falls where she was a member of the Children of Mary Sodality and a volunteer for many years for the Annual Catholic Appeal. Following the closing of her beloved parish, she became a communicant of Ste. Rose de Lima Church in Aldenville – where her older brother, Rev. Msgr. Leo A. Leclerc served as pastor from 1989 – 2005. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, John O. “Jack” Marceau who was called home on January 5, 2011. They met while attending St. George Elementary School and later married on September 21,1963 at St. George Church. They were blessed with over 47 years of happiness together raising their four children and being mémère and pépère to their three treasured grandchildren – Ashley, Jared, and Brianna. Jeannette’s endless love for her family included hosting gatherings for significant, memorable events and holidays – in addition to cooking weekend dinners and camping adventures. Besides her parents and husband, Jeannette was also predeceased by her loving son, John O. Marceau Jr. who was called home on December 1, 2003; her dear sister, Theresa (Leclerc) Rivest and her husband, Rolland Rivest; her dear brothers, Rev. Msgr. Leo A. Leclerc; Ronald M. Leclerc and his wife, Janice, and Joseph F. Leclerc. She leaves her three loving and devoted daughters, Lisa M. Cavanaugh and her partner, William Cavanaugh, of Windsor, CT, Danielle M. Bauman of Chicopee and Nicole M. Marceau-Reuter and her husband, Daniel L. Reuter II, of Wilbraham; her three cherished grandchildren, Brianna Cavanaugh, Jared Bauman and Ashley Marceau; her twin step-granddaughters, Lauren and Meghan Reuter; her dear brother, Paul Laurier Leclerc and his wife, Laurieann, of Chicopee; and dear sister-in-law, Lorraine Leclerc of Maysville, NC; as well as many adored nephews, nieces, cousins and cherished friends. Jeannette’s family will receive loved ones at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels (413-532-9806) on Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 5 pm to 7 pm located at 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (the parking lot and main entrance are located in the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020). Her funeral services will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026 beginning at 8:30 am at St. Pierre – Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am at Ste. Rose de Lima Church, 594 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her burial will take place at Ste. Rose Cemetery, 49 Olsen Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeannette’s memory to the Rev. Msgr. Leo Leclerc Endowment Fund for St. Joan of Arc School, 587 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Lastly, Jeannette’s family is forever indebted to the compassionate staff at Beacon Hospice for providing comfort, dignity, and attentive care to Jeannette during her final months of life. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
