CHICOPEE – Sharlene M. (Leary) Major Benson, 83, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, March 8, 2026. She passed into Eternal Life at her home surrounded by all the memories she loved and cherished. She was born in Holyoke on March 30, 1942, a beloved daughter of the late William C. and Marion M. (Desnoyers) Leary. She was raised in Holyoke and lived in the city for many years. She graduated from Holyoke Catholic High School and moved to Fairview in 1969. She was employed for many years as an Executive Secretary at People’s Bank in Holyoke and retired in 2002. She was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Fairview where she was a member of the Ladies Sodality Guild and a Senior Altar Server. She enjoyed spending time with her friends from Holyoke Catholic High School. In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her loving first husband, Neil Francis Major who was Called Home on November 10, 1999; her two dear brothers, David J. Leary and William C. Leary and his wife, Suzanne; and her dear brother-in- law, Michael Anthony DeVito, Jr. She leaves her loving husband and soul mate, Dennis R. Benson of Chicopee. They were married at Saint Anne Church in Chicopee on May 16, 2003 and were blessed with over 22 years of happiness together. She also leaves her four loving children, Daniel J. Major and his wife, Terri, of Port Charlotte, FL, Donna M. Grzelak and her husband, James, of Southwick, Douglas P. Major and his partner, Billy Stritch, of NY, NY and Patrick J. Major and his wife, Tracy, of Chicopee; her six cherished grandchildren, Sarah K. Major and her husband, Ricardo Rodas, Amanda L. Major and her fiancé, Steve, James W. Grzelak and his partner, Tony, Rachel N. McCauley and her husband, Mitchell, Jessica R. Lusignan her husband, Spencer, and John P. “Jack” Major; her cherished great-granddaughter, Dahlia Major Rodas; her dear brothers, Kevin M. Leary, and Christopher J. Leary and his wife, Cheryl, all of Eustis, FL; her dear sister, Linda Leary of Holyoke; her dear brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Michael Major and his wife, Dona, of Naples, FL, Sandra DeVito of Chicopee; Gary Benson and his wife, Darlene, of Granby, Ann O’Connor and her husband, Thomas, of Springfield, Todd Benson of Worcester, and Craig Benson and his wife, Joanne, of Springfield; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended family members. Her funeral will be held on Saturday morning, March 14, 2026 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels,(413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.) followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Her burial will follow the Mass at Notre Dame Cemetery, 63 Lyman Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before the Mass. (The parking lot is located in the rear of the funeral home.) For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made in her memory to Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
