It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dear mother, Rachel Peloquin Kosiorek, age 101, on August 10, 2025. Born in Chicopee, MA, on April 29, 1924, she was the daughter of Cecile and Antoine Peloquin of Quebec, Canada. She was predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Edward “Chick” Kosiorek, who passed away on April 26, 1990.
Together, Rachel and Chick raised nine children. Although she was very busy raising her family, Rachel returned to school and earned her nursing degree, an accomplishment of which she was extremely proud. This led to a 20-year career providing compassionate care to patients at Holyoke Hospital.
Not one to be idle, Rachel remained active through her memberships with the Chicopee Falls Women’s Club, Chicopee Council on Aging, Fairview Golden Ager’s Club, Springfield Garden Club, and St. Patrick’s Church Choir. A woman of deep faith, she regularly attended Mass and lived her life guided by her strong spiritual values.
Throughout her life, Rachel fondly recalled her childhood summers on her cousins’ farm in Hardwick, VT, and later cherished the many summers spent with her children at the family lakeside camp on Lake Metacomet in Belchertown. After retirement, she loved traveling and delighted in spending time with her daughters in Boston, California, and Hawaii, and son in Virginia. In addition, she traveled extensively to other countries and states with her family. Rachel loved her children deeply, and they loved her in return, caring for her devotedly in her final years.
Rachel is lovingly remembered by her nine children and their spouses: Dr. David (Penelope), East Longmeadow, MA; Kenneth, Montgomery, MA; Edward Jr. (JoAnn), Huntington, MA; Linda Stopa, Kaaawa, HI; Gail Kosiorek (partner Gary Grimmer), Kaneohe/Kailua, HI; Dianne Woods (Richard), Carlsbad, CA; Richard (Julie), Chesapeake, VA; Mark (Kathleen), Wilbraham, MA; and Carole Kosiorek (partner Robert Pistorino), Quincy, MA. She also leaves her cherished 11 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and her dear sister, Loretta Skaza of Belchertown, MA, who since passed on September 15, 2025.
Rachel will be remembered for her unwavering devotion to her family, her quiet strength, and the kindness she extended to everyone she met. She had a gift for making others feel cared for, whether through her work as a nurse, her role as a mother and grandmother, or simply by offering a listening ear. Her resilience, faith, and love of life carried her through more than a century, and her presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 15, 2025, between 8:30 – 10:30 AM at Grise Funeral Home, 280 Springfield Street, Chicopee, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA. Burial will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery.
Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.grisefh.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be
made to American Heart Association www.heart.org or American Cancer Society www.cancer.org.