CHICOPEE – Jacqueline M. (Rioux) Mashia, 84, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Saturday, April 25, 2026. She passed into Eternal Life at Daybrook Village in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born in Chicopee on April 29, 1941, a beloved daughter of the late Emil E. and Lillia J. (Duval) Rioux. She was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Precious Blood High School in Holyoke and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies from the College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee. She was employed at the Monsanto Chemical Company in Springfield and later taught piano lessons at the Springfield Conservatory of Music. She was an organist at Saint George Church and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, both in Chicopee. She and her husband built a music studio in their home in the early 1970s where she taught piano lessons for many years. She later worked as a music teacher at Mount Carmel Elementary School and Saint Joan of Arc School, both in Chicopee. Active in her Catholic faith, she was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee where she also taught Religious Education for over 30 years through Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and Pre-Cana classes. She also served as Religious Education Director, Eucharistic Minister, and Lector. She was proud to have received the Pope Pius X Award in 1982, in recognition for volunteers who have given outstanding service to Faith Formation in their parish community. She authored a book on Our Lady of Mount Carmel and provided brown scapulars and rosaries to the First Communion recipients in the area. She was a member of both the Third Order of Lay Carmelites and Our Lady of Fatima’s Blue Army. She supported her late husband Robert’s Scouting interests for many years and received the Bronze Pelican Award in 1998. She and Robert also enjoyed countless trips traveling domestically and internationally. Above all, she loved spending time with her family and many friends. She was predeceased by her beloved husband and love of her life, Robert D. Mashia who was Called Home on February 10, 2025. They were married on September 7, 1963 at the former Saint George Church in Chicopee and were blessed with over 61 years of happiness together. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her loving and devoted daughter, Diane M. Mashia who was Called Home on November 9, 2025. She leaves her two loving and devoted children, Daniel J. Mashia of Chicopee and Linda R. McNamee and her husband, Paul, of Burlington; her two cherished grandchildren, Gwyneth McNamee and Evan McNamee; her dear sister, Irene Choquette of Lebanon, CT; her dear sister-in-law, Claire Oberman of Trinity, FL; and her many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family members and friends. Jacqueline’s family would like to thank the incredible staff at Day Brook Village for giving her such wonderful care, dedication and support over the past two years. Jacqueline’s Funeral will be held on Friday, May 15, 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 10 a.m. at Saint Anne Church, 30 College 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, May 14, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The funeral home parking lot is located in the rear. Her family requests that memorial donations be made in her memory to Saint Anne Church, 30 College Street, Chicopee, MA 01020 or Our Lady of the Elms College, Institutional Advancement, 291Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA 01013-2839. For more details and to leave her family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
