CHICOPEE – Claire Y. (Menard) Henault, 89, of the Arbors and a longtime resident of the Sandy Hill section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, April 18, 2026. She was born in Holyoke on January 11, 1937, a beloved daughter of the late Raymond and Honora (Laurin) Menard. She was raised in Chicopee and graduated from Chicopee High School, Class of 1955. She was a longtime florist at the former Elizur Holyoke. She was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church and previously at the former Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, all in Chicopee. Claire enjoyed cooking and was the “Official Bow Maker” of the family. She loved traveling whether it be bus trips with the Chicopee Senior Travel Club or cruising with her friends and vacationing with her family. She was generous of heart and a wonderful mother. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and many friends and having ice cream from Mr. Cone in Chicopee. She was predeceased by her beloved husband and soul mate, Richard R. Henault who was Called Home on June 15, 2001. They were married on June 4, 1960 at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee and they were blessed with over 41 years of happiness together. She leaves her two loving and devoted daughters, Lenore J. Bernashe and her husband, David, of Granby, and Nicole C. Egan and her husband, Wes, of Chicopee; her four cherished grandchildren, Kaitlin Bernashe, Nora Bernashe, Allycia Forest-Henault, and Adam Forest; her cherished great grandchild, Madison Forest; her best friend and neighbor, Theresa Ukleja of Chicopee; and her many nephews, nieces, cousins, godchildren, extended family members and friends. Her Funeral will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 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 10:30 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 594 Grattan 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 Monday, April 27, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral home parking lot and main entrance are located at the rear at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry, 170 Pendexter Avenue, Chicopee, MA 01013. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit:
www.stpierrephaneuf.com
