CHICOPEE – Helen L. (Paquette) Potvin, 88, a longtime resident of Chicopee and currently a resident of Monastery Avenue in West Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Sunday, August 7, 2016. She passed into Eternal Life at the Holyoke Healthcare Center in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family. She was born at home in the Village of Three Rivers in Palmer on June 6, 1928, a beloved daughter of the late Almanzard and Amanda (Houde) Paquette. She graduated from Cathedral High School and lived in the North End section of Springfield for many years before moving to Chicopee in 1970. She previously worked at the former Van Norman Machine Company and then at the U. S. Envelope Company, both in Springfield. She then furthered her education and attended Putnam Vocational School in Springfield where she received a Certificate to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. She then worked for 33 years at Mercy Hospital in their Medical-Surgical Department. She then was the President and Owner of the former Potvin’s Auto Body in Chicopee. She was a longtime volunteer for the Chicopee VNA and was a Past Co-Chairman of their Walk-A-Thon. She was also a longtime volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in Springfield and a volunteer at the Eastern States Exposition Craft Fair where she received many Blue Ribbons for her creativity. She was a longtime communicant of the former Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Springfield where she was a member of the Ladies of Saint Anne Sodality. She then was a communicant of the former Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Chicopee. She was predeceased by her beloved husband and best friend, Alphonse J. “Potsy” Potvin who was Called Home on March 25, 2003. They were married on June 12, 1948 at the former Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 54 years of happiness together. Besides her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by her two beloved sons, Paul A. Potvin who was Called Home on February 20, 2011 and Ronald A. Potvin who was Called Home on October 6, 2015; her dear brother, Raymond Paquette; and her two dear sisters, Madeleine St. Aubin and Aurea LaPlante. She leaves her daughter, Constance M. “Connie” Lacharite and her husband, Donald, of South Hadley; her two daughters-in-law, Donna M. Potvin of Chicopee and Diane J. Potvin of Southampton; her four grandchildren, Marc Lacharite, Michelle Lacharite, Christopher Potvin and Corey Potvin; her four great-grandchildren, Marina, Morgan, Marc Jacob and Kiara; and her many nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Potvin and Paquette families. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, August 10, 2016 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.), followed by a Prayer Service at 10:30 a.m. in the Funeral Home. Her burial will follow the service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 421 Tinkham Road, Springfield, MA 01129. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday morning, August 10, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. before the service. Her family has requested that memorial donations be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association, Massachusetts / New Hampshire Chapter, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com