CHICOPEE – Grace C. (DiVenuto) Fleury, 83, of the Fairview section of Chicopee, quietly passed away on Easter Sunday morning, April 12, 2020. She passed into Eternal Life at Sixteen Acres Healthcare Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving husband, Norman. Her beloved husband, Norman R. Fleury, quietly passed away early Tuesday morning, May 12, 2020. He passed into Eternal Life at his home surrounded by the care and comfort of his dear cousins, Phil and Kim.
Grace was born in Springfield on July 16, 1936, a beloved daughter of the late Michele and Angelina (Recchia) DiVenuto. In her younger years, she attended Misercordia College in Pennsylvania. She entered the convent and for 16 years was Sister Mary Jacinta. She later attended Springfield Technical Community College and received a Bachelor’s Degree from Westfield State College. She taught for over 20 years in the Springfield Public School System. Later in life, she met the love of her life, her husband Norman. They were married on November 11, 1973 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 46 years of happiness together. Grace and Norm were inseparable, spending much of their time at the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus in Chicopee where Grace volunteered many hours at countless functions. Grace was also an Honorary Deputy Sheriff for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department. She was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Chicopee where she was a member of the former Senior Choir. In addition to her parents, Grace was predeceased by her dear sister, Anna Scibelli and her husband, Michael; and her four dear brothers, Dominick DiVenuto and his wife, Theresa, Joseph DiVenuto, John DiVenuto and his wife, Caroline, and Anthony DiVenuto.
Norman was born in Holyoke on August 6, 1943, a beloved son of the late Cleo N. and Gertrude V. (Paul) Fleury. He was raised in the Fairview section of Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee High School and lived in Springfield before returning to Chicopee. Norman served his country in the United States Navy and attained the rank of Seaman. Norm was employed as a cook at the Hampden County House of Corrections in Ludlow. Active in his Catholic faith, Norm was a communicant of Saint Anne Church in Fairview. Norm was a two-term Past Grand Knight at the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus in Chicopee where he was active for many years with their Bingo, Spaghetti Suppers, Halloween Parties, Thanksgiving Dinners, playing Santa Claus for the Children’s Christmas Parties and the Knights of Columbus Liaison to the Shriners. Norm was a Past Faithful Navigator for the Bishop Joseph F. Maguire Assembly 2670, a Past District Deputy and an Assistant to the Marshall for the Honor Guard. In addition, he was an Honorary Hampden County Deputy Sheriff, a member of the Chicopee Lodge of Elks, the Moose Family Center and the Fairview American Legion Post 438 in Chicopee.
Norm and Grace leave Norm’s brother, Russell Fleury and his wife, Phyllis, of South Hadley; their many nieces and nephews; their many cousins including Norm’s cousins, Philip and Kimberly Chapdelaine of Chicopee and their daughter, Katherine Chapdelaine; dear friend, MaryAnn Kuchinski, and Lou and Muriel Redfern, all of Chicopee; and countless friends from the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus.
Due to the current circumstances, their burials will be private at Sainte Rose Cemetery in Chicopee. A Memorial Mass will be held for both of them at a later date and time to be announced. Arrangements are entrusted to the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Fairview Chapels, (413-533-3307), 506 Britton Street, Chicopee, MA 01020.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in their memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Springfield Unit, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus, Scholarship Fund, 1599 Memorial Drive, Chicopee, MA 01020.
For more details and to leave their families condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com